RMC building new cath lab

Anniston's Regional Medical Center has announced plans to build a fourth room dedicated to heart-related surgeries to meet increased demand for those services at a cost of 2 million dollars.

Construction on the  new cardiac catheterization lab on the hospitals sixth floor is expected to get underway early next month and be completed by the end of July.  Hospital officials say they need the new lab due to the growth in referrals from the rural health clinics the hospital has opened in recent years.

RMC CEO David McCormack said the new cath lab will allow more procedures so they can do more during the day. McCommack said the currently  have to go into the night, but the new lab will all them to do more and let patients go home earlier in the day.