Medical Cardiology

In 2008-09, Nationwide Children’s Hospital continued to support high-end services such as patient transport, physician-to-physician communication and social services in order to make it easier for patients to receive complete care in a timely and efficient manner. We further enhance our quality care with the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) that enhances better documentation practices, helps prevent medical errors and provides improved systems to allow us to track results and suggest treatment plans.

Launched in the summer of 2009, the Physician Referral Line, (877) 355-0221, gives referring physicians direct access to Nationwide Children’s Hospital consultants 24/7. Additionally, The Heart Center’s 12 regional outpatient clinics allow patients to access great care close to home with the resources of an entire hospital backing them.

In 2009, Dr. Richard Brilli, former Chief Medical Officer of Nationwide Children’s Hospital introduced the Zero Hero Program. This campus-wide quality initiative was designed to ensure safety every day for patients and their families by working toward zero preventable medical errors and oversights. Many members of The Heart Center team serve as Zero Hero leaders and coaches in support of this quality-focused goal. We are also involved in the Joint Council on Congenital Heart Disease (JCCHD) that is a sponsored collaborative for quality improvement through the Center for Health Care Quality.

This continued dedication to quality and safety can also be found through the Cardiac Step Down Unit, a program that ensures a safe recovery for patients.