This is a full-scope interventional cardiology practice built around a daily rotation between outpatient clinic and the cardiac cath lab. Cardiologists split their time evenly between procedural work and clinic care, with the cath lab taking priority when urgent or emergent cases arise. The incoming physician joins a group of five cardiologists supported by five nurse practitioners, a dedicated cath lab team, and fully integrated in-house diagnostic services.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total cath labs | 3 |
| Current platforms | 2 GE systems; 1 Toshiba (being replaced) |
| Replacement system | Philips (currently under construction) |
| Hybrid lab | 1 currently operational |
| Second hybrid lab | Coming upon completion of Philips replacement |
| Cath lab start time | 7:30 AM |
| Cath lab end time | ~3:00 PM (call team finishes remaining cases) |
| Daily procedure volume | 8–10 procedures across the program |
| Annual procedures (2025) | 6,121 procedures on 1,869 patients |
| Annual procedures (2024) | 5,688 procedures on 1,785 patients |
Both hybrid labs will meet full OR standards for anesthesia, perfusion, and structural heart procedures once construction is complete. Currently only the existing hybrid lab meets those standards.
The lab runs three full procedural crews covering all three rooms. Staff tenure ranges from brand-new to 10–15 years, with a culture that emphasizes low complication rates, technical excellence, and collaboration with physicians. A four-person call team supports after-hours emergency procedures.
Currently only two of the five cardiologists perform device implantation. One of those physicians is approaching retirement, making this a high-priority skill for the incoming hire.
Laser atherectomy is not currently available. Advanced EP ablations are not performed; EP cases are referred to Houston and Lafayette.
Cardiologists rotate between a morning clinic / afternoon cath lab or morning cath lab / afternoon clinic depending on scheduling. The call physician sees any urgent inpatient consults or new arrivals throughout the day.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clinic volume (non-call days) | ~15 patients per day |
| Clinic volume (call days) | ~10 patients per day |
| Friday schedule | Half-day clinic |
| Exam rooms per physician | 3–5 depending on hallway |
All cardiology diagnostic testing is performed within the clinic, preserving revenue and scheduling control for the program.
Study interpretation rotates based on call schedule. Turnaround expectation is within 48 hours. A dedicated ultrasound reading room is available, though physicians may also interpret from office workstations or laptops.
| Location | Distance | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | ~15 minutes | 3 cardiologists rotate |
| Jennings | ~30 minutes | 1 cardiologist primarily |
| DeRidder | ~1 hour | 2 cardiologists rotate weekly |
Outreach clinic days typically involve approximately 25 patients. Participation in outreach is generally expected for newer physicians. Some long-tenured physicians practice exclusively at the main campus.
Current cardiologists generate between 13,000 and 19,000 wRVUs per year, reflecting a high-volume practice with strong procedural activity. The program's annual growth in procedures (from 5,688 in 2024 to 6,121 in 2025) signals continued volume trajectory.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Call rotation after hire | 1:5 weekday and holiday |
| Weekend call | Rotating among the group |
| After-hours cath lab | 4-person team available for emergency procedures |
One senior physician takes reduced weekend call per hospital bylaws. This does not affect the advertised call rotation for the incoming physician.
Five nurse practitioners support the cardiology service. Two are dedicated to outpatient clinic; three rotate between hospital rounding and clinic care. NPs are not assigned to specific physicians and operate with significant scheduling autonomy. They do not participate in cath lab procedures but handle consult evaluations, patient workups, outpatient follow-up visits, and weekend rounding coverage.
The program runs on Epic, implemented October 2024. The clinic also houses a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Lugo, who performs thoracic and cardiovascular surgical procedures. His presence within the same facility gives interventional cardiologists direct surgical backup for complex structural and vascular cases.