September 30, 2002

Illini Hospital Joins Genesis Heart Institute

Illini Hospital has joined the Genesis Heart Institute - the hospital's latest effort to advance cardiovascular services for patients and its growing cardiac catheterization program.

As a member, Illini, an affiliate of Genesis Health System, will be able to utilize the many benefits the Genesis Heart Institute offers, including membership in a regional heart network offering cardiac and vascular services to a broad area of the Illinois and Iowa region. The Institute works with providers in many communities to assist in the expansion of cardiovascular services. Providers associated with the Institute expand their referral base, enhancing their range of services and availability of care.

In the past year, Illini already has made great strides in cardiovascular care by upgrading its $1.2 million Cardiac Cath Lab to enable emergency angioplasty procedures. Since the lab's opening more than three years ago, it has been offering diagnostic cardiac catheterizations, which examine the heart for blockages. Now, cardiologists at Illini, with the blessing of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, are able to open clogged vessels through the use of angioplasty and stents in emergency cases only.

That means patients in the midst of a heart attack no longer have to be transferred to other hospitals, which allows for an earlier intervention and a better chance to save valuable heart muscle. Illini was the first Quad City-area facility to perform emergency interventional catheterizations without an open-heart program and is one of several hospitals in Illinois that has state permission to do this.

Chuck Bruhn, CEO of Illini Hospital, is eager to take advantage of the membership benefits the Genesis Heart Institute offers. "Illini Hospital is now able to further expand its heart care services and availability to better serve our community and patients. Upgrading the Cath Lab was a large step for Illini; and joining the Genesis Heart Institute is the next step in opening up many new opportunities for growth."

The Heart Institute brings together the most talented professionals across both the medical and administrative fields to add value and expertise to the region. Steve Fish, Executive Director of Genesis Heart Institute, says, "It is important for heart service facilities to come together to serve the community and to fight heart disease. Genesis Heart Institute and Illini Hospital will work together to extend services through education and research."

The $11 million Genesis Heart Institute building opened in August 2001 on Genesis Medical Center's East campus.

For more information on the Genesis Heart Institute, visit our Web site at www.genesisheart.com.