Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) and St. David’s HealthCare have announced a formal affiliation agreement in which the Austin-based hospital system will provide clinical and other support services to CTMC, including emergency department physician staffing.
“By tapping into the resources of the larger St. David’s HealthCare network, we will have the opportunity to incorporate a number of ‘best practices’ here in San Marcos,” Gary L. Jepson, chief executive officer, Central Texas Medical Center, said. “The hospital and the community will benefit greatly as we work in collaboration with one of the region’s largest networks of health care providers in Central Texas.”
Jepson further explains that the move is part of CTMC’s overall strategic plan to expand existing and grow new medical services available directly in San Marcos.
CTMC and St. David’s HealthCare executives describe the new relationship as mutually beneficial. St. David’s will work with CTMC to achieve an accredited chest pain center status. Additionally, St. David’s HealthCare will support CTMC needs in other areas such as supplies and group purchasing.
St. David’s HealthCare has a leading reputation in cardiovascular, neurosurgical and high level women’s services, in particular; CTMC will look to the larger health care network for services that they do not provide.
Under the new affiliate agreement, physician staffing in the CTMC emergency department will be provided by Capitol Emergency Associates. The group already provides care in the five St. David’s HealthCare emergency departments in Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown.
When CTMC’s new $35-million women’s and infant’s pavilion opens in November of 2009, St. David’s HealthCare—with its renowned strength in obstetrics and neonatal services—will work with CTMC to provide enhanced neonatal services.
St. David’s HealthCare and CTMC are not entering into a financial agreement and the two will remain separate entities.
“We are very pleased that St. David’s HealthCare has the opportunity to support CTMC through a formal clinical affiliation,” Mark Clayton, senior vice president of St. David’s HealthCare, said. “We look forward to this opportunity to partner with CTMC.”