Partners in Heart Care: TriHealth Takes a Team-Based Approach to Cardiac Health

You depend on your heart to keep you going every day. Protecting it takes a care team that communicates clearly, responds quickly and helps you move from one step to the next with confidence, says TriHealth Cardiologist and Medical Director Asimul Ansari, MD.

TriHealth Heart & Vascular Institute takes that approach through team-based heart care. There, expert heart doctors partner with another group of health care professionals trained in cardiology — advanced practice providers (APPs). Together, they design customized heart care plans that deliver leading-edge, coordinated cardiac services to patients.

“When doctors and APPs work together, we provide seamless communication and care transitions to patients,” Dr. Ansari says. “Patients have easier access to frequent appointments that address routine and urgent issues. By partnering, we improve the quality of care our patients receive.”

Valuable Members of Your Heart Care Team

According to the American College of Cardiology, the demand for heart services is growing. TriHealth is well positioned to meet these patient needs. APPs, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, work side by side with TriHealth cardiologists in both the clinic and the hospital. They can evaluate symptoms, suggest treatments and monitor long-term heart conditions.

As advanced health professionals, TriHealth APPs partner with cardiac subspecialists, like cardiothoracic surgeons, electrophysiologists and heart failure specialists. They don’t replace your doctor. But they’re a vital part of your cardiologist-led care team, giving you more touchpoints for prompt, effective heart care.

At TriHealth, APPs like Cardiology Physician Assistant Haley M. Boyd, PA-C, collaborate with cardiologists and discuss patient needs daily. They see patients more often, so they can make lifesaving diagnoses that lead to treatment changes.

“During a visit with one hospitalized patient, I noticed new symptoms and sent him for a transesophageal echocardiogram (a heart imaging test),” Boyd says. “The images showed a heart valve infection, so we scheduled him for heart valve surgery.”

Dr. Ansari says he values Boyd’s partnership and trusts her clinical judgement, experience and ability to guide patients through timely, knowledgeable heart care.

“When patients see Haley or another APP on our team, they can feel confident they are still receiving cardiologist-led care. We work together as a team, with the same goal of working to accomplish the best outcome for every patient,” he says. “She’s fully versed in each patient’s care plan and helps streamline the service patients receive for testing and treatment. Our collaboration really allows for a seamless transition of care.”

Get Faster Access

Through phone calls and in-person visits, APPs monitor your heart health and progress between appointments with your cardiologist. If needed, they quickly involve a cardiologist in your care.

“If I see vital signs that don’t look great or you feel chest pain or other concerning symptoms, I’ll bring in a physician right away,” Boyd says. “They’ll physically assess you with me. We’ll put our heads together to create a plan because delivering proper treatment is the ultimate goal.”

“Patients often tell me they feel more supported knowing more than one expert is watching out for them,” Dr. Ansari says. “When my APP colleagues and I share what we're seeing in real time, patients get a fuller picture of their heart health, and they always know exactly who to call, no matter the day or the question.” 

Know What APPs Can Do for You

APPs complete rigorous graduate-level training that builds on their existing healthcare experience. With this advanced training, they can help with many common heart care needs, the same services you expect from your cardiologist, including:

• Evaluate new or worsening symptoms you’re experiencing
• Adjust or stop medication that isn’t working for you
• Order imaging tests or procedures you need
• Prescribe new medications when appropriate
• Answer your questions about your diagnosis, treatment or next steps

Receive Coordinated Care

APPs work closely with your cardiologist to help design and carry out your care plan. They can help you understand tests, medications and follow-up care, so you know what to expect next.

“We work together,” Boyd says. “Patients can be confident that, as APPs, we collaborate all day long to achieve the best outcomes for every person.”