Hospital system launches coordinated care network

Health Quest has launched a Cardiovascular Institute, a network of care spanning Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel and Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

The institute is designed to provide quality care and collaboration between heart disease specialists from different locations and streamline communication between patients”™ cardiac physicians and primary care physicians.

“This model of care guarantees patients receive the same high-quality cardiovascular care, regardless of which Health Quest hospital they choose,” Dr. Daniel O”™Dea, chief of cardiology at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, said in a press release. “It is a mechanism that helps ensure all providers follow best practices developed nationally so patients receive the right therapy, at the right time, every time.”

Patients can enter the Cardiovascular Institute”™s network for outpatient care by referral from a primary care physician or specialist or for inpatient care by being transferred from another hospital.

The Health Quest institute currently includes the division of cardiology and will eventually add the division of cardiothoracic surgery at the three hospitals.

“With the debut of the Cardiovascular Institute, the cardiac care team at each Health Quest hospital will follow an identical protocol for treating heart attack patients, from the medications individuals receive with they arrive at the hospital to the speed with which angioplasty is performed to restore blood flow to the heart,” said Dr. Ron Tatelbaum, interim chief medical officer and senior vice president of quality at Health Quest. “Every decision the team makes is based on evidence that has been proven to save cardiac muscle and improve outcomes.”

In addition to its three hospitals, the Health Quest system includes 10 primary care medical practices, several specialty medical offices and two urgent care locations for walk-in patients.