Cardiac Surgery Section Once Again Named National Model

The cardiac surgery section of the Operative Care Line at the Houston VA Medical Center has once again received recognition as a "Clinical Program of Excellence" within the Veterans Health Administration.

This designation is made for a period of two years. The hospital’s cardiac surgery section and its staff first received this recognition in 1999.

The Veterans Health Administration identifies special, high-performing clinical programs that excel when compared with the best in American health care. Clinical outcomes, patient focus, and financial effectiveness, plus efficiency, productivity, and fulfillment of the dimensions of quality, are some of the important criteria examined in attaining the designation as a Program of Excellence.

Ernesto R. Soltero, M.D., a member of the Houston VA Medical Center staff since 1999, is the hospital’s chief of cardiothoracic surgery.

While honored that his department has achieved this very distinguished designation, Soltero points out that this could not have been accomplished without the support of the physician assistants that he works closely with, as well as the cardiology anesthesiology staffs, and operating room, surgical intensive care, and step-down unit nursing staffs. He also credits the Baylor College of Medicine cardiothoracic residents who rotate through the hospital’s cardiothoracic surgery program.

The VA’s Programs of Excellence serve as models for the Veterans Health Care System, and as information and referral sources to help others in the system achieve excellence in the measurement of clinical outcomes, clinical care, and where applicable, teaching and research.

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_01_02/page_32.html