Heart or vascular Surgery at the Heart & Vascular Institute

Entrance Welcome to University Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute, a world-class facility designed specifically to meet the heart and vascular needs of this region.

Front Door Here, University’s cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons perform hundreds of procedures each year, including open-heart surgery, coronary artery surgery, valve replacement surgery, aortic aneurysm repair, carotid stenting, repairs of ventricular aneurysms and many others. They work in a dedicated suite designed specifically for open-heart and vascular surgery.

Main Lobby A reception desk is available to the right of the main entrance should you have questions when you first enter the Heart & Vascular Institute. If no one is at the desk, you can proceed past the desk toward the back of the lobby where the public elevators are located.

Public Elevators The public elevators are located past the New Moon Café on the right side of the main lobby. From the lobby, CV Post-Anesthesia Care Unit patients, friends and family members will go to the second floor of the Heart & Vascular Institute.

Hallway to CV PACU Turn left once you exit the elevators and proceed down the hallway to the CV PACU unit.

Hallway to CV PACU Proceed to the end of the hallway and go through the door to arrive at the CV PACU.

The Family Waiting Room Through the first set of doors to the CV PACU is the Family Waiting Room specifically for the family of patients in the unit.

The Family Waiting Room Since family members can visit only during designated time periods, this area offers comfortable seating as well as access to lockers and a kitchen.

The Family Waiting Room This area of the Family Waiting Room includes a quiet area with chairs that convert to beds if needed.

The Family Waiting Room Volunteers within the waiting area can provide linens and pillows for those who wish to rest.

The Family Waiting Room Lockers are available for family members who wish to secure their personal belongings or those of the patient.

The Family Waiting Room The Family Waiting Room also has a kitchenette attached for family members to grab a cup of coffee or heat a meal.

Security Family members should know that their loved ones are safe within the CV PACU. Access to the unit is restricted and requires the permission of University’s clinical staff.

CV PACU University’s CV PACU rooms provide the very latest technology and monitoring equipment to ensure patient safety. Post surgery, heart and vascular patients are brought to one of the unit’s 10 beds where they will be continually monitored.

CV PACU Once a patient is stable enough to leave the CV PACU, they are discharged to one of the Universal Patient Rooms on the Heart & Vascular Institute’s third floor.

CV PACU Patients are carefully transferred to nearby elevators and taken to the third floor of the Heart & Vascular Institute.

H&V Third Floor Patients are then brought to a state-of-the-art Universal Patient Room.

Universal Patient Rooms The Universal Patients Rooms offer a home-like atmosphere and accommodate family members, while still being equipped for clinical care and staffed by nurses trained to care for heart and vascular patients at all levels in their recovery. Here, family members are allowed and encouraged to stay with patients around the clock and be a part of the healing process.

Leaving the Heart & Vascular Institute When it’s time to leave the Heart & Vascular Institute, the patient will receive discharge papers, which include information regarding their continued recovery as well as any instructions they might need regarding medications and further treatments.

Leaving the Heart & Vascular Institute Patients are escorted to the ground floor of the Heart & Vascular Institute.

Leaving the Heart & Vascular Institute Patients are escorted to their waiting vehicles to continue their recuperation and recovery at home. Part of that recovery should include cardiac rehabilitation in University’s accredited Cardiac Rehabilitation program.

Cardiovascular Rehabilitation University’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, on the ground floor of the Heart & Vascular Institute, is the only program in Augusta to be certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The program helps patients recovering from cardiac surgery, heart attack or any cardiac event reduce the risk of further problems and live fuller, more active lives through monitored exercise, nutrition and stress management programs.

If you still have questions about your stay in the CV PACU, please speak with your nurse.