See and hear the new cardiology commercials from Good Shepherd Hospital

The Wayne and Patricia Kocourek Family Cardiac Care Center provides advanced cardiac services including cardio-diagnostics, interventional cardiology and open-heart surgery. Within minutes of diagnosis, patients receive life-saving interventional heart care right here in our community.

Care Providers
The Cardiac Care Center is staffed with highly experienced cardiologists, heart surgeons, nurses and rehabilitation specialists. Innovative advanced surgical procedures are performed by a renowned group of cardiovascular surgeons. These surgeons, who are also on staff at Advocate Christ Medical Center, perform more open-heart procedures than any other group in northern Illinois. Our team of more than 40 multi-disciplined cardiologists, including 13 certified interventional specialists, perform such advanced techniques and therapies as angioplasty, cutting balloons, atherectomy, angiojet and drug-coated stenting.

Diagnostics
Early diagnosis is the key to the best possible outcome. Good Shepherd Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab has state-of-the-art equipment that provides the latest diagnostic and interventional procedures. The cath lab’s intravascular ultrasound provides images of the inside of the vessel to aid the practitioner in identifying the best treatment method. Other diagnostic testing includes stress tests, electrocardiograms (EKG), echocardiograms, echo doppler testing, tilt table procedures, vascular studies, Holter monitor testing and pediatric EKGs.

Universal Beds
The healing process is improved when patients remain in the same bed and the same care environment throughout their hospital stay. Through this "universal bed" concept, teams of nurses and other caregivers provide the ideal level of care needed by each individual patient at each stage of his/her recovery and healing. This patient-centered model of care is available at only a few hospitals nationwide.

Minimally Invasive Surgery and off-pump procedures
Good Shepherd Hospital cardiovascular surgeons have the experience and capabilities to provide patients with off-pump open heart procedures or minimally invasive approaches to surgical repairs. Minimally invasive surgery can be used to repair Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) and for valve repairs. Additionally, our heart surgeons are experienced in robotically assisted valve repair and will screen patients to identify candidates for this breakthrough procedure which allows patients to go home to their loved ones in just a few days. While minimally invasive procedures are available, the physician will discuss the best alternative.

Electrophysiology (EP) Lab
Cardiologists trained in electrophysiology (EP) provide expert therapies for treating heart rhythm disorders, including Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib). At Good Shepherd, electrophysiologists have access to the latest in EP technology, including computer-assisted 3-D mapping which allows for pinpoint accuracy in treating heart rhythm distrubances. The latest in pacemaker and defibrillator implantation, including biventricular pacing devices, is also provided.

Privacy for Patients and Families
The privacy of patients and their family members is a priority of Good Shepherd Hospital. The cardiac center provides spacious separate rooms with private bath and shower facilities.

Healing Gardens
In keeping with our wholistic philosophy of care, the center features three gardens with a variety of scents, colors and textures to stimulate the senses and enhance the healing process.

eICU Audio/Video Patient Monitoring and Management System®
The eICU offers patients and families added security and peace-of-mind. This state-of-the-art electronic surveillance system utilizes cameras and monitors to provide 24-hour patient surveillance and instant communication between physician intensivists and onsite caregivers.

Rehabilitation/Aftercare
Good Shepherd Hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation program gives patients an invaluable physical and emotional resource, providing comprehensive, individualized services that help patients regain their strength, reduce risk factors and help prevent future illness. More than 1,000 patients have successfully experienced the encouraging, healing enviroment of Good Shepherd Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab program.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Treatment Program
Advocate Health Care’s nationally recognized congestive heart-failure (CHF) treatment program gives heart-failure patients the best in care, education and recurrence-prevention to help them reach and maintain their highest level of health. This program is Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) disease-specific accredited and offers congestive heart-failure patients access to national trials of leading-edge medications conducted at Good Shepherd Hospital.