Regionalization or Access to Care? A Joint Pediatric Heart Care Program That Achieves Both: One Program-Two Sites

Background: Regionalization of care for children with congenital heart disease has been proposed as a method to improve outcomes. This has raised concerns about limiting access to care. We present the details of a joint pediatric heart care program (JPHCP) which utilized regionalization and actually improved access to care. Methods: In 2017, Kentucky Children's Hospital (KCH) launched the JPHCP with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). This unique satellite model was the product of several years of planning, leading to a comprehensive strategy with shared personnel, conferences, and a robust transfer system; “one program-two sites.” Results: Between March 2017 and the end of June 2022, 355 operations were performed at KCH under the auspices of the JPHCP. As of the most recent published Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) outcome report (through the end of June 2021), for all STAT categories, the JPHCP at KCH outperformed the STS overall in postoperative length of stay, and the mortality rate was lower than expected for the case mix. Of the 355 operations, there were 131 STAT 1, 148 STAT 2, 40 STAT 3, and 36 STAT 4 operations, with two operative mortalities: an adult undergoing surgery for Ebstein anomaly, and a premature infant who died from severe lung disease many months after aortopexy. Conclusions: With a select case mix, and by affiliating with a large volume congenital heart center, the creation of the JPHCP at KCH was able to achieve excellent congenital heart surgery results. Importantly, access to care was improved for those children at the more remote location utilizing this one program-two sites model.