GROWING
ALIGNMENT
How Ascension’s cardiovascular service line is enhancing quality, boosting physician engagement and fostering efficiencies
Three years ago, Ascension introduced its first national service lines to improve patient care by enabling service line physicians to collaborate as a community. The aim was to advance Ascension into the forefront of the nation’s healthcare providers — on par with other national leaders — through dynamic, unified service lines that allow physicians from individual markets to collaborate with colleagues Systemwide — pooling knowledge, skills and experience to better serve patients with higher quality and an exceptional experience while advancing growth and reducing unnecessary costs. The initial System-wide service lines were established around cardiovascular, oncology and orthopedic services. Success would be measured by improving the health of
individuals and communities through quality care and an improved patient experience delivered at a lower cost.
How service lines work Drawing on their varied perspectives and experience, service line physicians share information, ideas and best practices; pose and answer questions and problems; and lay down plans for continually improving care. “The psychology of medicine has changed, and healthcare today is best supplied by ecosystems of physicians, nurses and other care providers working seamlessly together,” said Richard Fogel, MD, an Indianapolis-based cardiologist who serves
