Departments

Chest Pain Center

If you or a loved-one experience chest pain or other early warning signs of heart attack, the best care is available at the Chest Pain Center located in the Benefis Emergency Department. Our Center's team is skilled in diagnosing and treating your condition and, if appropriate, may even begin heart care treatment while you are still in route to the hospital. Members of the Center have spent hours in preparation making sure they can save time in the race to stop damage caused by a heart attack and, in many cases, even reverse it. The Center is available around the clock to get you the care you need–now.Call 406.455.5200 for more information.

Cardiac Rehab

Benefis Cardiac Rehabilitation is a customized exercise and education program designed to improve our patient's quality of life after they have had a heart attack, open-heart surgery or other heart condition.

The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are to help you regain strength and physical ability and to reduce your risk of future heart problems. Program benefits include close interaction with trained Exercise Physiologists and Cardiac Rehab Nurses. These staff members treat complications that often accompany heart disease. They work with you to ensure clear and effective education and, ultimately, obtain your desired health.

The program combines medical supervision and cardiac monitoring, educational dietary and psychiatric counseling, with a progressive exercise training program to help people reach and maintain a high level of heart fitness and return to a full and productive life.

Cardiac Rehabilitation requires a physician referral. Patients have continuous EKG monitoring during each exercise session. The program is covered by most insurance policies, including Medicare. Participation is up to 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Exercise prescriptions are individually based on your functional level. If you, or someone you know, may benefit from Cardiac Rehabilitation, please call 406.455.2180 for more information.

Cardiovascular Inpatient Unit

The Cardiovascular Unit (CVU) offers a comfortable, private environment for patients and their families. The unit is designed for a member of the family to be with their loved ones while they are on the unit. It is also designed to provide for almost all of the needs of the patient while being treated for a heart condition or recovering from a medical procedure.

Because of our state-of-the-art centralized monitoring system, patients are virtually unaware that their heart rate, blood pressure and vital signs are under constant observation by the cardiac nurses and physicians on the unit. The unit boasts specially trained and dedicated providers to care for the medical, emotional, and informational needs of patients with various heart conditions. Call 406.731.8600 for more information.

Cardiovascular Surgical Services

In many cases, cardiovascular surgery is the most effective treatment option for cardiovascular disease. Benefis has assembled a team of surgeons, anesthetists, perfusionists, surgical nurses and assistants trained specifically for the surgical care of the heart. Surgical options now include traditional by-pass surgery as well as off-pump or minimally invasive surgery. Call 406.731.8500 for more information.

Interventional Radiology Department

Benefis Health System Interventional Radiology Department uses the latest in imaging technology to perform minimally invasive procedures. Procedures that once required general anesthesia with large incisions can now be done on an outpatient basis with a small incision that often times does not require stitches. Our scope of practice includes, but is not limited to: pain management, angiography, biopsies, drainages, catheter/ line placement, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and limb salvage.

The Interventional staff consists of a team of Interventional radiologists, Radiologic technologists and Registered nurses. The team utilizes an evidence-based practice to maintain the most current standards in interventional practice.

For more information about these services, please call 406.731.8500.

 

 


 

Vascular Lab

The Vascular Laboratory is a special unit designed, equipped and staffed to diagnose problems of the vascular system. The tests conducted are typically 'non-invasive' which means they are safe, relatively pain-free, and accurate. These tests allow diagnosis of almost all known or suspected vascular disorders and can often determine the severity of a problem and the need for treatment.

Vein Center

Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)

Dr. Roberto Amado-Cattaneo is a leading expert in Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) for varicose veins.

Show Your Legs Again!
This safe, in-office procedure usually takes less than an hour. Patients walk out of the office with a bandage, and typically return to normal activities after just a few days. Laser-treated veins disappear as they are absorbed into the body. Dr. Amado-Cattaneo also offers spider vein treatment using lasers and sclerotherapy.

For more information, call Benefis Med Spa and Vein Center at 406.455.2845.

Cardiac Outreach Program

Personal visits

If you are from outside the Great Falls area, the cardiac liaison will visit you while you are a patient at Benefis Heart and Vascular Institute. The trained heart nurse will talk with you during your stay, answer your questions, and assist you. After your discharge, we will provide information to the doctor you have identified.

Cardiac Education

  • Participation in your health fair with heart health education
  • Individual consultation on heart health
  • Classes on heart disease and medications

Link to your community doctor

Benefis Heart and Vascular Institute understands that when there is a cardiovascular crisis and you have to leave your community hospital, you want your doctor to be informed about your stay at Benefis Heart and Vascular Institute. The cardiac liaison is familiar with your local community and doctor, and will provide information to the physician that you designate.

About the Cardiac Liaison

Kris Lattin-Jackson has been a heart nurse for over 20 years. She visits all of the local community clinics and hospitals several times yearly, and meets with the physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. For more information, please call 406.731.8500.