COEUR d'ALENE - Kootenai Health is adding to its medical fleet.

One day after the Coeur d'Alene City Council approved a zone change that will allow Idaho's fourth largest hospital to establish a doctor residency facility, Kootenai Health announced plans to acquire Heart Clinics Northwest, a move that will expand cardiac care in the region.

"First, we want to make sure there is good cardiology care for all patients, and we do not want to disrupt any of the services," Kootenai Health CEO Jon Ness said. "But we would eventually like to add new cardiology services to Kootenai Health."

Under the new agreement, which should be effective early next year, Kootenai Health would employ the 150 member staff, including 24 physicians, at Heart Clinics Northwest.

HNC has been in Coeur d'Alene since the early 1990s, and would likely keep its name after the merger.

Ness said Kootenai Health eyed adding the heart care provider after reviewing a market assessment study that determined the hospital didn't have an adequate number of cardiologists for the area's population age and total.

Also, Idaho ranks 49th in the nation for physicians per 1,000 people. A recent assessment by Southwind Associates identified a need in the area for as many as 72 primary care physicians by 2015.

Those stats were key for the hospital to aggressively pursue the cardiology and residency additions. The residency program is slated to open in 2015 off Lincoln Way.

"We have a shortage of doctors compared to our need," Ness said. "It isn't just coincidental we're pursuing a relationship with Heart Clinics Northwest and simultaneously pursuing a new residency program."

Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Ness said the hospital is exploring other avenues toward expansion and health care improvement that can't yet be discussed as they aren't final.

Dean Hill, M.D., and president of HNC, said the provider is looking forward to combining with Kootenai Health's team.

"Our physicians and staff are pleased to be joining Kootenai Health," Hill said in a press release Wednesday. "Kootenai's dedication to excellent patient care mirrors our own commitment to providing our patients with personalized, comprehensive cardiovascular care."

HCN has around 17 offices in Coeur d'Alene, Spokane and Sandpoint including satellite clinics throughout North Idaho, eastern Washington and western Montana.

All of them will continue providing medical services at those locations, which should give more Kootenai Health patients more options closer to home for heart care.

"Key to this relationship is ensuring that patients can receive the care they need close to home," Ness said in the press release. "Patients in Spokane and eastern Washington will continue to see their physicians in Spokane. We will also be expanding services in northern Idaho to meet the region's growing need for cardiovascular services."

Kootenai Health employs 1,800 people and has 317 physicians on staff. It's the fourth biggest hospital in North Idaho, but the one with the busiest emergency room with 50,000 visits a year.

The acquisition sets the stage for further growth of cardiac services at Kootenai Health, such as expanding existing facilities and adding electrophysiology services, Ness said.

The hospital has been recognized for outstanding nursing quality through its designation as a "Magnet" hospital since 2006, its standing as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in health care for the past three years, and as a Top 100 Hospital for Community Value.