Cleveland Clinic strikes heart surgery deal with Chicago-area hospital

Cleveland Clinic’s heart surgery group has struck its first affiliation deal with a hospital west of Ohio, 313-bed Central DuPage Hospital in suburban Chicago.

The affiliation deal, which will involve academic, clinical and research collaboration, is likely to “shake up the market for heart care in Chicago,” the Chicago Tribune reported. The reputation of the Clinic’s cardiology program is unparalleled in the industry and it was just ranked the nation’s top cardiology hospital for the 16th consecutive year by U.S. News and World Report.

Cleveland Clinic has for months been courting Chicago-area doctors, encouraging them to refer serious cardiology cases to the Clinic, the Tribune reported. The deal with Central DuPage gives the Clinic a foot in the door to the populous — not to mention potentially highly lucrative — Greater Chicago region.

The Clinic has reached about a half-dozen similar deals with hospitals around the country. The deal is expected to give patients at Central DuPage improved access to heart surgery clinical trials, the Clinic’s treatment protocols and research projects that currently are not available in the Chicago area, according to a statement from Cleveland Clinic.

“This affiliation brings world-class heart surgery resources, research and practices to the patients of Central DuPage Hospital,” Central DuPage Chief Executive Officer Luke McGuinness said. “It is quite an honor that a top provider like Cleveland Clinic recognizes our drive for quality and top-tier performance and is interested in affiliating with us.”