St. Mary's decided that a Cardiac Catheterization Suite was a necessary complement to the cardiac services they provided. However, since this was an experimental program, St. Mary's wanted a facility that was economical and could be used for other functions, or if necessary, could be switched entirely for a new use.

Hyman Hayes Associates investigated several options and recommended that a 4,270-sf addition would be the best solution. Because of the addition's location, the pre-op/recovery area is also used by endoscopy and outpatient transfusion. The waiting area was designed to be large enough to accommodate Cath Lab, Ambulatory Surgery, and Endoscopy services.

After the conceptual design was completed, the Hospital indicated that vascular procedures would also be conducted in the space. This required a room designed to OR standards, which Hyman Hayes Associates was able to accommodate with some creative plan modifications.

Based on creative use of space and sharing of support areas, St. Mary's obtained not only a Cath Lab but a space that can be used for Angiography, vascular surgery, and as an OR in an emergency.