Clinic bridges the gap in cardiac care for patients with non-emergency heart concerns
With a focus on Heart Month in February, Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale has announced the opening of the MD ASAP Rapid Response Cardiac Clinic to bridge the gap in cardiac care. The Clinic offers a timely solution to patients with non-emergency intermittent heart problems and cardiovascular concerns as an alternative to the Emergency Department (ED).
Located on the ground floor of Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, patients can be seen quickly, typically within 24 hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here, patients can have access to a physician with extensive cardiovascular expertise. It is an alternative to the ED, urgent care or continuing for a prolonged period of time with what could be a serious cardiac issue.
At the MD ASAP Rapid Response Cardiac Clinic, patients can be screened, evaluated and referred for further testing that may include an echocardiogram, stress test, CT calcium scoring, all of which is determined on a case-by-case basis.
“MD ASAP Rapid Response Cardiac Clinic is not designed to become a patient’s primary source of cardiac care,” said Charles Russo, M.D., FACC, who supervises the Clinic. “There are patients who feel that there might be something wrong, but don’t feel it’s urgent enough to go to the ED or who maybe don’t have a cardiologist. The Clinic fills that void. While we provide screening and follow-up and may see a patient once or twice, we do not replace their cardiologist or their ongoing need for one or their need for other physicians. If they don’t have a physician or cardiologist, our Holy Cross Medical Group can help them.”
Also referring patients to the MD ASAP Rapid Response Cardiac Clinic are physicians in private practice who refer patients with new onset cardiac symptoms or abnormal testing, emergency medicine providers who may refer patients that may need to be seen soon after ED discharge and urgent care providers who may refer patients who require further cardiac evaluation.
Supporting Dr. Russo in the Clinic are Darla Erlich, DNP and Allison Hamlett, NP. Cardiac specialists Joshua Larned, M.D. and Elias Collado, M.D. also are available at the Clinic.
In addition to the MD ASAP Rapid Response Cardiac Clinic, patients can access MD ASAP for primary and specialty care at several Holy Cross locations.
For more information call 954-542-2500 or visit HolyCrossASAP.com.
ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH
A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, non-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for six Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report’s 2023-24 Best Hospital rankings. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as our community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also encompasses Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, urgent care centers and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com. Connect @holycrossfl.
