RSUD Amri Tambunan Strengthens Heart Care with Cath Lab

DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan in Deli Serdang Regency is expanding its cardiac care services through the development of a catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab). During the hospital's first proctoring session on September 17 and 18, 2026, the medical team treated eight patients, including one STEMI patient who required immediate coronary intervention.

The development of the cardiac catheterization service is supported by Indonesia's Ministry of Health and forms part of efforts to strengthen the capabilities of the Cath Lab at RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan. The service is intended to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease.

Director of RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan, Erlinda Yani, said the proctoring session was an important step for the hospital's medical team in improving its skills and readiness to perform cardiac catheterization examinations and related procedures.

First Proctoring Session Treats Eight Patients

"During these two days, September 17 and 18, 2026, we are conducting proctoring for the first cardiac catheterization procedures at RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan. This proctoring activity is supported by the Ministry of Health," Erlinda said on Friday, September 18, 2026.

During the two-day proctoring session, the medical team treated a total of eight patients. Four patients underwent procedures on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while another four patients were treated on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Among the patients treated on the second day was an emergency patient with an acute cardiac condition. The patient underwent a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (Primary PCI), an urgent coronary procedure intended to restore blood flow to the heart muscle during a heart attack.

The patient arrived at the emergency department, known as the Instalasi Gawat Darurat (IGD), with chest pain. After the medical team conducted examinations and identified signs of STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), the attending physician immediately transferred the patient to the Cath Lab so the necessary medical treatment could be performed.

"The patient came to the emergency department with chest pain. After examination, we found that it was STEMI, and we had to immediately begin the implantation of a heart stent, or cardiac catheterization procedure. We took the patient directly to the Cath Lab and performed the procedure," Erlinda explained.

STEMI is a type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow in a coronary artery. The condition requires rapid medical treatment to restore blood flow to the heart and reduce the risk of heart muscle damage.

Treating STEMI through Primary PCI demonstrates the importance of a Cath Lab in a hospital. Such a facility enables medical teams to examine the coronary arteries while also carrying out interventional procedures, depending on the patient's condition.

Patients from Deli Serdang and Surrounding Regions

In addition to the emergency patient, seven other patients underwent elective procedures, meaning planned treatments performed according to their respective medical needs.

Not all patients who received cardiac catheterization treatment came from Deli Serdang Regency. Of the seven patients undergoing elective procedures, three came from other areas, namely Samosir Regency, Toba Regency and Tebing Tinggi City. Four other patients were residents of Deli Serdang.

According to Erlinda, this patient composition shows that the expansion of cardiac care at RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan is not solely intended to meet the needs of the people of Deli Serdang, but can also benefit patients from surrounding regions.

The Cath Lab enables the hospital to conduct more detailed examinations of the heart's blood vessels. The facility also supports certain interventional procedures, including the implantation of stents, or heart rings, for patients who require such treatment.

"This is part of the development of our Cath Lab. We hope that this will further strengthen cardiac care at RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan and allow people to receive treatment more quickly," she said.

The development of this service is part of RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan's efforts to expand its capacity to treat heart disease. Certain cardiac conditions require particularly rapid diagnosis and treatment because delays can increase the risk of complications.

The hospital management is also continuously working to prepare the qualifications of medical personnel and supporting infrastructure so that cardiac catheterization services can be delivered optimally. The proctoring session is an important step in strengthening the medical team's competencies before the service is expanded further.

BPJS Credentialing Process Still Underway

Although the hospital has begun proctoring and has already treated patients, the cardiac catheterization service at RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan has not yet received approval from BPJS Kesehatan for coverage. The hospital management is still undergoing the credentialing process, which is one of the necessary steps toward obtaining the relevant approval.

Erlinda emphasized that the credentialing process has not yet been completed. Therefore, patients currently cannot use BPJS Kesehatan coverage to pay for cardiac catheterization procedures at the hospital.

"At present, the cardiac catheterization service at RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan has not yet received approval or clearance from BPJS Kesehatan. The credentialing process is still underway," she explained.

The management of RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan hopes that the credentialing process can be completed soon. This would allow residents of Deli Serdang and people from surrounding regions to gain access to cardiac catheterization treatment with BPJS Kesehatan coverage in the future.

Strengthening the Cath Lab is also part of the hospital's efforts to expand its specialized medical care capacity. The hospital is not only focusing on providing modern diagnostic facilities, but is also preparing its medical team to respond quickly to patients experiencing cardiac emergencies.

The cardiac catheterization service at RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan is expected to help shorten treatment times for patients, particularly those who urgently require interventional procedures. As a result, people in Deli Serdang and surrounding areas will not have to rely exclusively on healthcare facilities in other regions when they require cardiac examinations or interventional procedures that can be provided at the hospital.

The first proctoring session on September 17 and 18, 2026, marks an important starting point for the development of this healthcare service. With support from the Ministry of Health, improved medical personnel competencies and the completion of the BPJS Kesehatan credentialing process, RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan aims to further strengthen cardiac care and provide the community with faster access to medical treatment.

The proctoring activity was also attended by Prana Jaya, Deputy Director for Medical Services at RSUD Drs H Amri Tambunan. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala