Communication, collaboration and care coordination top the to-do list for facilities pledging participation in the American Heart Association’s (AHA) newest certification for complex heart disease treatment beginning Jan. 1: Cardiovascular Center of Excellence designation.
The designation arose from a joint effort between AHA and the American College of Cardiology (ACC). Hospitals attaining the status will be able to provide the best-in-industry services for diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, support services and education for advanced heart care patients.
By promising to promote interactive decisions; keep patients apprised of new tests and studies; cooperate with communities to offer cardiac awareness program; strive for optimal outcomes; and comply with national care standards, hospitals and clinics will become eligible for the accreditation.
Once achieving the credential, designated health care facilities gain exposure via AHA/ACC marketing both regionally and nationally. The organizations’ “Find an Accredited Cardiovascular Center Near You” locator tool guarantees that patients are able to choose facilities that adhere to the industry’s highest standards.
Cardiovascular Centers of Excellence will be able to extrapolate data for quality control, administrative and research purposes.
Additionally, the accreditation will serve to allow integration of information from the widest possible scope of sources, sharing collected information for the benefit of all participating facilities, their medical teams, and ultimately their cardiac care patients.
