A recent agreement between Cooper University Health Care and Inspira Health Network, called Cardiac Partners at Cooper and Inspira, provides patients with access to coordinated and comprehensive cardiac services across the continuum of care.
The integration of the two health systems’ cardiac service lines creates what is now the largest program in South Jersey, expanding access and convenience for referring physicians and their patients throughout the region. Cardiac Partners includes more than 65 cardiac specialists and offers a comprehensive range of services [see below for listing].
“There is tremendous synergy in what each of us does,” says Phillip A. Koren, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Medical Director of the Cooper Heart Institute. “Here at Cooper, one of our strengths is tertiary and advanced-level care for patients with heart and vascular disease. Inspira is a three-hospital health system and provides state-of-the-art cardiovascular care at the community hospital level.
“Working in partnership, we complement each other’s offerings and offer seamless cardiac care through a single point of access to residents throughout South Jersey,” he continues. “And patients can receive the care they need in the most appropriate, convenient setting.”
For example, Dr. Koren notes, Inspira has a cardiac rehabilitation program— something that Cooper has not developed— while Cooper offers advanced cardiac surgery capabilities, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), mitral valve repair and replacement, and placement of the Watchman left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device. In addition, as an academic medical center, Cooper is involved in clinical trials investigating leading-edge cardiac surgery techniques and new devices.
“Equally important, Cooper and Inspira physicians will have access to both health care systems, making referrals easier than ever,” he adds. “And patients can stay here in New Jersey, close to home, for the most advanced, high-quality cardiac care.”
As the health care landscape continues to shift, this innovative business model not only increases patient access, but also enables the two health care systems to expand service offerings, operate more efficiently, reduce duplication of services, and continue to improve quality.
“Together, we’re developing additional services, including a program for the management of advanced heart failure,” Dr. Koren says. “By sharing resources and expertise, we’ll be able to care for patients at Inspira’s community hospitals as well as at Cooper.
“We’re also focusing on quality improvement in both systems,” he continues. “We’re adopting best practices to help reduce clinical variation as well as readmissions and boost the overall health of our shared patient population.”
Care coordination is another important benefit offered by Cardiac Partners.
“One of our overarching objectives is to make the care process seamless for patients who need cardiac care,” Dr. Koren stresses, acknowledging that the health care system can sometimes feel overwhelming and fragmented. “Whatever services a patient needs—from basic screening and diagnostic testing in the outpatient setting, to the full range of treatments, including advanced cardiac surgery and rehabilitation—we aim to make it as simple and efficient as possible.”
This starts with a patient’s first call to Cardiac Partners. Should someone have questions or need assistance in choosing a provider, Cardiac Partners has a dedicated phone number with an option to speak to a nurse navigator who can provide answers and help connect patients to the right care.
Cardiac Partners: A Full Spectrum of Cardiac Care
Our combined services— all conveniently located here in South Jersey—span the full range of cardiac care, including:
- State-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities
- Comprehensive medical management of cardiac disorders
- Non-surgical/catheter-based interventional procedures, such as emergent and elective angioplasty, stent placement, and TAVR
- Arrhythmia management including ablation, open-heart Maze procedures, pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement, and LAAC device placement
- Advanced cardiac surgery options for valve repair and replacement, thoracic and aortic procedures, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted cardiac procedures
- Cardiac rehabilitation
For questions about Cardiac Partners at Cooper and Inspira, contact Dr. Koren at Koren-Phillip@CooperHealth.edu. To schedule an appointment with a Cardiac Partners physician, patients may call 833-SJ-HEART (833-754-3278).