Mercy Health – Cincinnati, which provides advanced, compassionate, quality care in your neighborhood through its care network, announces that the open heart surgery program at West Hospital has reached a significant milestone, treating its 500th patient on January 29.

Robert Duncan, 69, of Glens Fork, KY, was the 500th patient. He traveled over 200 miles to have a triple bypass at West Hospital on the recommendation of his cardiologist.

“My stay at the hospital has been excellent. The staff and doctors are great. I’d recommend West Hospital to anyone,” said Duncan.

“West Hospital launched the open heart program when it opened just over five years ago and the goal then remains the same now – to provide comprehensive, quality heart care for all our patients,” said Michael Kramer, Mercy Health West Market President and CEO. “I’m pleased that Mr. Duncan recognized the quality care available at West Hospital. Residents of the West Side can take comfort knowing that when someone is experiencing a cardiac emergency and seconds count, West Hospital’s award-winning open heart program is their nearest option for cardiac surgery.”

“I feel very strongly that the partnership between Mercy Health – West Hospital and Green Township Fire & EMS has elevated the standard of care in the area and is having a most positive effect on patient outcomes, including for our most critical patients who need high quality open heart services. We expect that our partnership with West Hospital will continue to grow,” said Darren Mooney, Green Township EMS Division Chief, Green Township Fire & EMS.

The open heart program at West Hospital is led by Mercy Health Physician and cardiothoracic surgeon Manisha Patel, MD, whom Cincinnati Magazine recently featured on the cover of its Top Doctors issue. Under Dr. Patel’s direction, her experienced and dedicated open heart team has collaborated closely with cardiologists who have implemented technology and processes which allow patients to get the care they need quickly, achieving a record door to balloon time of just 14 minutes. The cardiovascular program has received multiple national recognitions from the American Heart Association, the Joint Commission and the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiothoracic surgeons perform open heart surgery to:

  • Bypass blocked arteries
  • Repair or replace heart valves
  • Repair areas of the heart that are damaged or abnormal
  • Repair abnormalities of the aorta

The heart care team at West Hospital can schedule new patients for appointments within 48 hours and most will get an appointment within 24 hours. For more information, please call Mercy Health — The Heart Institute, West at 513-215-9200. The Heart Institute, West is located on the West Hospital campus at 3301 Mercy Health Boulevard, Suite 125, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211.