JPS' open-heart program beat goals and saved about $1 million, officials say

By Alex Branch

abranch@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH -- The JPS Health Network's new open-heart surgery program surpassed patient goals and saved the public hospital district about $1 million during its first year, officials said Thursday.

JPS added open-heart surgery to its cardiovascular services in November 2010. Before, patients who needed open-heart surgery or coronary bypass were referred to other hospitals, JPS officials said at a meeting of the board of managers.

Doctors performed 174 procedures, 16 percent more than the 150 they anticipated. That makes JPS the third-busiest hospital for those procedures in Tarrant and Denton counties, said Dr. Reza Khalafi, chairman of JPS cardiothoracic surgery.

"This was a big doing, Khalafi told the board. "What we have accomplished is something to be proud of."

Officials said the procedures cost the network $21,774,882, about 5 percent less than if they had been outsourced to other hospitals. Patient satisfaction, infections and mortality rates also beat national quality measures, they said.

The mortality rate is particularly significant, Khalafi said.

"The patients we care for are sicker than the national average, so we did fairly well considering the patients we operate on," he said.

Performing open-heart surgery at JPS was not only cost-effective but also made for a smoother continuum of care for patients, officials said.

Khalafi said the program was functioning on "borrowed grounds" - doctors borrowed an operating room from other surgeons, as well as four beds in intensive care. Doctors have a goal of treating at least 200 patients in 2012.

The program's performance drew praise.

"I think it is marvelous and wonderful medical accomplishment," board member Roy Lowry said.

Alex Branch, 817-390-7689

Twitter: @albranch1

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