Baptist DeSoto employs unique physician collaboration to improve cardiac outcomes while reducing costs

Some people might perceive that a bigger hospital is a better hospital. But in the case of Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, advantages have been found allowing the hospital that serves a large surrounding rural area to engage in a unique physician collaboration targeted towards improving health outcomes while reducing costs for cardiac care.

Improving cardiovascular care wasn't just about better outcomes at lower cost, but putting Baptist DeSoto on the map.

“There was a time ten years ago when some people thought DeSoto was the worst,” Szatkowski said. “We were determined to change that perception.”

At the same time, they were aware that many patients struggle to pay their medical bills. Medical bills are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the U.S. You may do a good job of fixing someone. You may save a life. But if that person goes home, can’t pay the bills and becomes homeless, you have created another problem. “And you have to be aware of that,” he said.