PRESQUE ISLE – State officials have given preliminary approval for a cardiac catheterization laboratory at The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle, according to TAMC officials.

Currently, an estimated 425 County residents annually could benefit from having such heart-related services in the region, TAMC officials said Monday.

“This put us one step closer to have a cardiac cath lab, which will be great news for Aroostook County citizens,” said David Peterson, TAMC president.

“Providing health care services as close to home as possible is important to our patients, who can stay near their families and friends while their local physicians stay involved in their progress and follow-up,” said Peterson. “That’s improved patient care.”

Having such a service available in the County would allow for the same benefit as having a kidney dialysis program established in Presque Isle in 1997. Before then, about a dozen people were traveling three times a week to Bangor for the service, according to Jane Forsythe, TAMC vice president of nursing.

The proposed TAMC laboratory is estimated to cost $1.6 million, according to Jean Mellet, director of planning for Eastern Maine Healthcare. EMH is the umbrella organization for TAMC and several other hospitals in the state. The proposal now will have a full review by Department of Human Services officials. A decision is expected within 30 days.

The preliminary report found that the proposed lab’s volume would exceed the minimum required by federal guidelines. In addition, the report said the need for the project has been demonstrated and is financially and economically feasible.