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and transesophageal echocardiography using ultrasound," Dr. Khan notes. "Our volume for angiograms has grown quickly; before I joined, we performed 60 or 70ªper year, whereas in 2017 alone we had per- formed 500 cases as of mid-March. The community had a great need for loca l diagnostic support, and we are the only hospita l within 15 miles providing a ll these services." INTEGRATED CARE: THE KNAPP CARDIAC CARE CENTER Coordination of care between the inpatient and outpatient setting, as well as among various specialties, is crucial to a safe and streamlined patient experience. The new Knapp Cardiac Care Center, housing the cardiac catheterization lab, noninvasive cardiology, electrophysiology, the cardiac rehabilitation program and the cardiac outreach program, is emblematic of this full integration of services. Physicians can coordinate easily, and patients can receive multiple services in one famil- iar location, making the process much more convenient. " T he K n app C ent er h a s ch a n ged t he whole persona of t he hospit a l ," Dr. Schwartz says. "It allows us to expand our capabilities and to accommodate the advancements that have taken place in the hospital. The physical plant itself has brought in new patients. The buzz in the community is, 'It's a whole new hospital.'" The center is fully staed with nursing professionals and equipped with leading- edge technology. "I can't say enough good things about our nurses," Dr. Schwartz says. "They are excellent in every area. We interviewed and took on the people we knew were the best." Integration extends beyond the walls of the Knapp Cardiac Care Center. In fact, for these cardiologists, it's a way of life. " We have const a nt i nt ra-hospit a l and trans-hospital communication; we share each other's cell phone numbers," Dr. Semertzides says. "We see patients the sa me day we a re requested for a consultation. For instance, today I had three consults before 8 a.m. and have more coming in. I typically visit five or 10 patients every day from other services, whether family practice, internal medicine or surgery. The most interesting for me are the emergency room cases. W hen they call for a cardiologist, we respond immediately. At other times, patients may be experiencing a hidden cardiac issue, such as an arrhythmia, after they've been admitted, and we get involved that way. "A lot of these patients may a lready belon g t o ou r g roup, but it 's a soci - ety — a community — and we collaborate to produce the best outcomes for them," he continues. "When they come to the emer- gency department, we get a call whether they're ours or not. Often, we know them John Guerra, RPA clinical coordinator, Dr. Semertzides and Dr. Schwartz discuss a patient's course of treatment. PHOTO © PAUL MOORE, PAUL MOORE STUDIO Dr. Schwartz, Richard T. Margulis, President & CEO Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center, and Dr. Semertzides, in the Knapp Cardiac Care Center Reach Out To learn more about the Knapp Cardiac Care Center, visit brookhavenhospital.org/Knapp. 0 9 M D N E W S .C O M /// M D N E W S L O N G I S L A N D ■ 2 017