The clinical experience at Abrazo Medical Group reflects a high-acuity, high-volume environment driven by a rapidly growing and medically underserved population. Physicians in this group see a wide range of cardiac pathology, from routine outpatient management to complex inpatient cases generated by a Level 1 Trauma Center and Cardiac Receiving Center. The group operates across two settings: outpatient clinic and inpatient hospital coverage at Abrazo West Campus.
The week alternates between clinic days and a dedicated hospital week. When in clinic, physicians also hold one reserved cath lab block per week for scheduled procedures. During hospital week, the physician focuses exclusively on inpatient rounding, consults, and procedures, with no clinic obligations.
| Clinic Days | Monday through Friday when not on hospital rotation |
|---|---|
| Clinic Start | 7:00 or 8:00 AM depending on physician preference |
| Last Appointment | Approximately 3:40 PM, out by 4:00 to 4:30 PM |
| Typical Clinic Volume | 24 patients per day at steady state |
| Maximum Clinic Volume | 40 or more per day for high-volume physicians |
| Hospital Week | Full inpatient focus; no clinic obligations |
| Hospital Census | 25 to 55 patients depending on time of year |
| Daily Consults | Ranges from 13 to 26 or more on busy days |
| Cath Lab Block | One dedicated block day per week per physician |
| STEMI Call | Currently 1:3; moves to 1:4 with addition of fourth interventionalist |
Physicians in this group perform both interventional procedures and general cardiology work. The expectation is that the incoming physician will manage patients from first encounter through procedure and follow-up, rather than functioning purely as a proceduralist receiving referrals.
Structural heart procedures are not currently performed at Abrazo West Campus. Structural cases are referred to Abrazo Arrowhead and Arizona Heart, both of which have established structural programs. Structural capabilities are planned for Abrazo West Campus as the program grows.
Abrazo West Campus is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the West Valley. The nearest competing trauma center is approximately 20 miles away. This positioning drives consistent high-acuity inpatient volume, particularly in the winter months when the regional population increases with seasonal visitors.
The group is actively building dedicated APP support for each physician. One NP is currently shared across the group and is expected to be dedicated primarily to one of the existing interventionalists. Two additional NPs are being hired. APPs bill incident-to at the hospital, with RVUs attributed to the supervising physician.
Participation in academic activities is voluntary but available.