Revolutionizing Congenital Heart Care through Joint Ventures

Enhanced Patient Access

Nikki Stafford, president of American Family Children's Hospital in Madison and system vice president of pediatric services at UW Health, emphasizes the importance of reaching a broader range of patients. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, and by combining forces, they strive to ensure that all children across the state have access to the best care. Dr. Peter Bartz, chief of pediatric cardiology at Children's Wisconsin, highlights that having expertise at both sites and the ability to support each other leads to improved patient outcomes.

Currently, they could continue as two medium-sized programs, but it becomes challenging. A busy program with an adequate number of patients is crucial for subspecialties like pediatric cardiology. As Dr. Bartz says, "We love taking care of kids, and the more we do it, the better we get."

Exposure to Complex Cases

By joining the programs, medical teams will be exposed to a greater number of patients with complex heart issues. This is beneficial not only for clinical care but also for research, innovation, and identifying new solutions. Dr. Petros Anagnostopoulos, chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at American Family Children's Hospital (part of UW Health), explains that having more physicians to learn from will enhance the training of pediatric cardiologists and other subspecialists.

In addition, the health systems may be able to offer training in more subspecialties within pediatric cardiology. This collaborative effort has the potential to extend beyond pediatric cardiac patients and benefit other children as well. As Dr. Anagnostopoulos predicts, "Pediatric heart surgery has always been a very important force for innovation in pediatric care."

Integration and Protocols

The first few years of the initiative will be focused on integrating the two programs. This involves developing shared protocols, best practices, and workflows. Deciding how each health system's teams will work together is a crucial aspect. Dr. Bartz states that this integration process is essential for providing seamless care.

The initial agreement between Children's and UW Health is for 10 years. Most existing patients will continue to be cared for by their same providers and clinics. However, over time, some doctors and medical staff may provide patient care at both organizations when it is in the best interest of the patient.