Temple hospital has top cardiac team
By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos by RUSTY SCHRAMM, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple
It takes an exceptional person with a big heart to be a doctor, but it takes one with an even bigger heart to be a cardiovascular doctor. In Central Texas, those doctors can be found at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple, which was recently named among the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the United States by Premier’s PINC AI™.
“We are very thankful for the opportunity to serve our community and excited about this prestigious recognition,” said Dr. Steven Costa, director of cardiovascular ICU and program director of the cardiovascular disease fellowship program at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple. “It is a testament to our unwavering passion and the exceptional patient care our teams demonstrate.”
Despite all the advancements in medicine in the past century, cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer among Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 5 people die annually from cardiovascular disease. At BSWH – Temple, a teaching hospital that trains doctors through a fellowship, they treat between 4,000 and 5,000 people monthly with some form of cardiovascular disease.
“We are honored to be serving our neighbors today with the highest level of care possible while training the health care leaders of tomorrow. As heart disease remains the number one killer of Americans, we know the important role we have to prepare providers to be able to continue caring for our communities,” Costa said. “We know how crucial it is to train the next generation of care providers to keep providing that level of care locally.”
Premier’s PINC AI selected the top 50 from among 940 hospitals researched, assessing their performance in 23 areas to determine the top hospitals. Some of the areas assessed included inpatient mortality, 30-day mortality rates, complications, operational efficiency and patient experience. Hospitals had to provide information about all forms of cardiovascular care they performed. BSWH – Temple has topped the list for the past 15 years.
Dr. Christopher Chiles, chief of the division of cardiology at BSWH – Temple, said he believes one of the important reasons the Temple hospital stands out is because they collaborate as a team to put their patients first.
“We are always working to utilize best practices to achieve the best outcomes while caring for our patients with kindness and compassion,” he said.
He said that the relationship between the physicians and fellows also makes a difference in patient care.
“The teaching relationship helps sharpen both the teacher and the students and we all get better through this model. We invest in the future health care workforce, and in turn, the students ask great questions and challenge us as providers,” Chiles said. “I know I’m a better cardiologist because of our amazing students.”
Advancements in cardiovascular medicine also help doctors improve patient care. Those advancements include technological innovations, improved understanding of the disease and therapeutic approaches.
“One recent example is a minimally invasive procedure just approved by the FDA to modify a patient’s nerves to treat high blood pressure without damaging the arteries,” Chiles said. “High blood pressure is the leading modifiable cause of heart attack, stroke and death, and this is one way that we’re able to treat it.”
He said they are also looking into a device that measures the pressure in the pulmonary artery in people with chronic heart failure. Radio signals from the device transmit information to the doctor daily, so the physician will know how to adjust the patient’s treatment plan.
The cardiology chief said he enjoys what he does because he is building meaningful relationships with his patients.
“From knowing the names of their grandkids to knowing their health history, I enjoy being involved in my patients’ lives and health care journeys,” he said.
Costa said the cardiovascular team is deeply grateful for the positive impact they have made on their patients and the community.
“I really want to highlight our team and their dedication and pursuit of excellence. Through this award, their commitment to high quality patient care resonates not only across the state but throughout the entire nation,” he said. “And we are privileged to have the leadership committed to excellence in patient care and clinical outcomes all while educating the future of medicine.”
The skilled team of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel inside the walls of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple continue to strive for excellence and make the world a better place – one heartbeat at a time.
