The evolution of the Heart Hospital of Austin: why we did it and what happened.

The Heart Hospital of Austin, Texas opened in 1998 after more than 2 years of planning and political struggles. A committed group of cardiologists had a vision of a physician-driven and patient-focused model of cardiovascular care. To ensure the success of the project the physician group grew and placed full-time cardiologists in surrounding communities. The physician group also concentrated on new programs to improve the cardiovascular health of Central Texans. Volume, efficiency, and quality indices point to the Heart Hospital of Austin as a leader in cardiovascular care.