Beginning early next year, patients who arrive at Central Texas Medical Center’s Emergency Room will be seeing a new group of physicians. And before the end of 2009, newborns as well as people who might be experiencing a heart attack or stroke will be getting significantly improved care there.

The hospital announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a formal affiliation agreement with St. David’s HealthCare providing that the Austin-based system will supply emergency room physicians, in addition to clinical and other services.

Currently, emergency room physicians are provided through the Hill Country Emergency Physicians Group.

“By tapping into the resources of the larger St. David’s HealthCare network, we will have the opportunity to incorporate a number of ‘best practices’ here in San Marcos,” said Gary L. Jepson, CTMC’s chief executive officer. “The hospital and the community will benefit greatly as we work in collaboration with one of the region’s largest networks of health care providers in Central Texas.”

According to Clay Stefano, director of PR and Marketing, plans include working with St. David’s HealthCare to establish accredited chest pain and stroke centers. By the time the new $35 million women’s and infant’s pavilion opens next November, CTMC will also be working to establish a neonatal intensive care unit.

Both the chest pain and stoke centers will have specially trained personnel that will follow special protocol to speed up diagnosis and treatment. “Early intervention is so crucial,” Stefano said. “Outcomes can be improved dramatically if (symptoms) are identified as heart attack or stroke” and treatment can begin within crucial time frames.

Stefano said the centers would mean patients who believe they are having a heart attack or stroke won’t have to go through the regular ER waiting period. “Certain things go into effect immediately,” he said.

The neonatal ICU will be a Level 2 facility, he said, while St. David’s facilities in Austin provide Level 3 care. “We have transferred many babies there,” he said, adding that the partnership will help to facilitate the transfer of babies who need to be seen by a Level 3 facility.

Jepson said the decision to end services by the Hill Country Emergency Physicians group was based on the hospital’s need to operate “in an increasingly complicated and dynamic Central Texas health care environment” and “in no way reflects on services provided by the current group.”

San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz gave her approval.

“As a growing community, San Marcos embraces health care options that will continue to provide and expand clinical expertise to meet the needs of our increasing population,” she said.