How hospital and cardiologist teamwork affects heart care and costs

Effect of Hospital-Cardiologist Integration on Clinical Practice, Healthcare Quality, and Medicare Spending

['FUNDING_R01'] · GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-10848202

This study looks at how working together more closely between hospitals and heart doctors can improve care and lower costs for patients with serious heart issues, like heart attacks or heart failure.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorGEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10848202 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of hospital-cardiologist integration on the quality of care and costs for patients with heart conditions, specifically those hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction or heart failure. By analyzing a large Medicare dataset, the study aims to understand how this integration influences patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. The researchers will employ a novel measure of integration and utilize difference-in-differences analysis to derive causal estimates of its effects. This approach seeks to provide insights into whether better coordination of care leads to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare spending.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction or heart failure.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cardiovascular conditions or those not requiring hospitalization for heart issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved heart care quality and reduced healthcare costs for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the benefits of hospital-cardiologist integration, indicating that while some improvements have been noted, the evidence remains limited and warrants further investigation.

Where this research is happening

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: cardiovascular disorder, Cardiovascular Diseases

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.