Sentara opens 1st stand-alone vascular care center in Hampton Roads

Sentara Health recently celebrated the opening of its new Sentara Vascular Care Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Norfolk, marking a major investment in specialized outpatient vascular care for patients across Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Located at 814 Kempsville Road, Suite 101, the center is the only free-standing vascular access center of its kind in the region – a significant addition given the high rates of renal failure and cancer that make access to specialized vascular care a critical community need.

Bringing specialized care close to home

Designed to provide faster, more convenient care outside of the hospital setting, the Sentara Vascular Care Center focuses on vascular procedures and medical access treatments that support patients undergoing dialysis or chemotherapy. The outpatient facility offers specialized services from board-certified Sentara vascular surgeons in a modern, patient-centered environment.

“Our strategy is to care for the whole community, in the right setting, with the right cost structure,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president of hospital operations at Sentara Leigh Hospital. “We all came together to make this happen, and it is the right thing to do, holistically.”

Reducing reliance on emergency departments

The center was created to improve efficiency and accessibility for vascular patients, particularly dialysis patients who historically have had to rely on emergency departments for urgent vascular access issues. In the past, an inaccessible port would mean landing in the ED for urgent treatment, leading to delays in dialysis, possible hospital admission, and increased medical costs.

According to Virginia Bose, director of the vascular care center, patients are already experiencing the benefits of receiving care in a dedicated outpatient setting.

“Patients are thrilled to get care, get out the door, and back to their day-to-day lives,” Bose said. “This makes their lives so much easier and there’s no wait, with excellent care.”

A patient- centered approach

Patients can now receive timely treatment in a setting designed specifically for their needs, and many have expressed gratitude for the convenience and efficiency the new center provides. Care coordination services are also available to help patients transition smoothly back to dialysis treatment after their procedure.

The center offers a range of vascular services, including dialysis access maintenance and restoration, peripheral vascular studies to detect blockages, clots, narrowing, and blood flow disorders, post-procedure follow-up appointments, wound care checks, and routine vascular visits.

Experience that makes a difference

The center’s staff brings exceptional knowledge and experience in vascular care, with a combined tenure approaching 90 years.

One of the most rewarding aspects of working at the center for them is seeing patients quickly return to normal life without the stress, long waits, and expense associated with emergency department care.

The opening of the Sentara Vascular Care Center represents a significant step forward in expanding specialized outpatient care in Hampton Roads while improving the overall patient experience for some of the region’s most vulnerable populations.