Franciscan Heart & Vascular Associates at St. Joseph

For individuals in US seeking information about comprehensive heart and vascular care, we present Franciscan Heart & Vascular Associates at St. Joseph, located at 1802 S Yakima Ave Suite 304, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA. While direct access to this facility is not possible for those in US, understanding its affiliation and the patient experiences shared can provide valuable context for seeking similar quality care locally.

Franciscan Heart & Vascular Associates at St. Joseph is part of CHI Franciscan, a well-respected Catholic health system serving communities in Washington state. This affiliation suggests a commitment to patient-centered care, ethical practices, and a comprehensive range of medical services. The "Heart & Vascular Associates" designation indicates a focus on both cardiac and vascular conditions, suggesting a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels.

Environment and Atmosphere:

The patient reviews offer contrasting perspectives on the overall environment and patient experience. One review highlights a positive in-office experience, praising Dr. Kumar and his Medical Assistant, Laquisha, for being "thorough, professional and kind," and describes the "great staff and experience in office." This suggests a patient-focused and caring atmosphere within the clinic itself. However, the other review expresses significant dissatisfaction with the customer service related to appointment scheduling, citing "absolutely ridiculous" experiences with long hold times and being hung up on. This indicates potential inconsistencies in the administrative and communication aspects of the practice.

Services Offered:

As a Heart & Vascular Associates practice, this facility likely offers a broad range of services related to both cardiology and vascular medicine, including:

• Cardiology Services:
  • General Cardiology Consultations: Evaluation and management of various heart conditions, including chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and fatigue.
  • Diagnostic Testing: Utilizing various tests to assess heart function, such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, stress tests, Holter and event monitors.
  • Medical Management of Heart Disease: Prescribing and managing medications for conditions like hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
  • Preventive Cardiology: Focusing on risk factor modification and lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease.
  • Interventional Cardiology (potentially in collaboration with St. Joseph Medical Center): Procedures such as angioplasty and stenting to open blocked arteries. Given the association with St. Joseph, more invasive procedures might be performed within the hospital setting.
  • Electrophysiology (potentially in collaboration with St. Joseph Medical Center): Diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, including pacemakers and defibrillators.
• Vascular Services:
  • Diagnosis and Management of Vascular Diseases: Addressing conditions affecting blood vessels outside the heart, such as peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, and venous disorders.
  • Non-invasive Vascular Testing: Utilizing ultrasound and other techniques to assess blood flow and identify vascular problems.
  • Medical Management of Vascular Conditions: Prescribing medications and recommending lifestyle changes to manage vascular diseases.
  • Minimally Invasive Vascular Procedures (potentially in collaboration with St. Joseph Medical Center): Endovascular treatments for conditions like peripheral artery disease.
• Follow-up Care: Providing ongoing management and monitoring for patients with established heart and vascular conditions.

Given its affiliation with St. Joseph Medical Center, it is likely that more complex procedures requiring hospitalization are performed within the hospital setting, with the Associates providing outpatient consultations and follow-up care.

Key Features and Strengths (Based on Reviews):

Based on the available patient feedback, the key features and strengths appear to be:

• Thorough and Professional Medical Staff: Dr. Kumar and his MA, Laquisha, are specifically praised for their thoroughness and professionalism, suggesting a high standard of clinical care within the office.
• Kind and Caring Staff: The positive review highlights the kindness of the staff, contributing to a positive in-office experience.
• Prompt Scheduling Once Contact is Made: Despite initial difficulties in reaching the office, one patient noted that once they got through, scheduling was handled promptly.
• Part of a Reputable Healthcare System: The affiliation with CHI Franciscan suggests adherence to established quality standards and ethical practices.

Concerns Raised (Based on Reviews):

• Poor Customer Service for Appointment Scheduling: Significant issues are highlighted regarding long hold times and instances of calls being disconnected, indicating a need for improvement in the administrative and communication aspects of scheduling.

Promotional Information:

There is no specific promotional information available for Franciscan Heart & Vascular Associates at St. Joseph based on the provided data. However, CHI Franciscan, as the overarching health system, often promotes its:

• Commitment to Patient-Centered Care: Emphasizing a holistic approach that considers the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of patients.
• High-Quality Medical Services: Highlighting the expertise of their physicians and the advanced technology available within their facilities.
• Community Focus: Underscoring their dedication to serving the healthcare needs of the local community.
• Integration of Care: Promoting the seamless coordination of services across their network of hospitals and clinics.

Individuals seeking heart and vascular care may be drawn to CHI Franciscan due to its reputation for compassionate care and comprehensive medical services.

For local users in US seeking a "Heart Doctor Near Me," the information regarding Franciscan Heart & Vascular Associates at St. Joseph provides a mixed picture. While the in-office clinical care appears to be of high quality, with thorough, professional, and kind staff, there are concerns about the accessibility and efficiency of appointment scheduling. When researching cardiac and vascular specialists in US, it is important to consider both the quality of medical care provided and the ease of accessing that care, including the efficiency of administrative processes.

To find reputable heart and vascular specialists in US, individuals should seek recommendations from their primary care physicians, explore the cardiology and vascular departments of major hospitals and medical centers in US, and inquire about the experiences of other patients regarding both the medical care and the administrative aspects of the practice. The contrasting feedback for the Tacoma-based clinic highlights the importance of considering the entire patient experience, from initial contact to ongoing care.

In conclusion, while Franciscan Heart & Vascular Associates at St. Joseph demonstrates strengths in clinical care and positive patient interactions within the office, potential challenges with appointment scheduling should be noted. For individuals in US seeking similar services locally, it is advisable to research facilities that offer both excellent medical expertise and efficient, patient-friendly administrative processes to ensure a positive and stress-free healthcare journey.