BMC and Fairview Recognized by AHA11:58AM / Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital Recognized Nationally for Implementing Quality Cardiac Care: BMC One of 13 hospitals in US to Achieve Triple Gold Recognition
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association are recognizing Berkshire Medical Center for its performance in treating cardiac and stroke patients and Fairview Hospital for its performance in treating cardiac patients, using the association's Get With The Guidelines program.
BMC is one of only 13 hospitals in the US to achieve Triple Gold recognition, for two or more consecutive years of Sustained Performance Achievement adherence in all three performance measures - coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. BMC has been recognized with eight consecutive Performance Achievement awards for outstanding performance in the care of patients with coronary artery disease, and is the only hospital in the nation so honored eight years running. BMC was also the first hospital in the United States to be honored with awards for stroke and heart failure, holding five consecutive yearly Performance Achievement awards for outstanding care of stroke patients and four consecutive yearly Performance Achievement awards for care of patients with heart failure.
Fairview Hospital has again achieved a Gold Recognition for sustained performance of two years or more in all performance measures related to coronary artery disease.
BMC and Fairview join 568 other hospitals featured in an advertisement in the July 27th "America's Best Hospitals" issue of US News & World Report. BMC is featured on the first page of the ad for its Triple Gold Recognition.
"Berkshire Medical Center leads nationally with more Performance Achievement Awards than any other hospital in our program," said Michael Weamer, CAE, Executive Vice President, American Heart Association, Founders Affiliate.
GWTG is a hospital based quality-improvement program designed to ensure that hospitals consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations. The program provides three modules that address coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke.
Upon meeting each module's criteria, hospitals are recognized if at least 85 percent of their cardiac or stroke patients are treated and discharged according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's recommendations.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's advertisement recognizes BMC's commitment and success in performance achievement.
"The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize its top Get With The Guidelines participants," said. Lee Schwamm, MD, national chairman, of the Get With The Guidelines steering committee, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and Vice Chairman of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital. "Healthcare providers who use Get With The Guidelines are armed with the latest evidence-based guidelines and immediate access to clinical decision support. The goal of this initiative is to ultimately improve the quality of life and help reduce deaths among heart and stroke patients."
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we're the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases - America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers - we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.
About the American Stroke Association
Created in 1997 as a division of the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association works to improve stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment to save lives from stroke - America's No. 3 killer and a leading cause of serious disability. To do this, we fund scientific research, help people better understand and avoid stroke, encourage government support, guide healthcare professionals, and provide information to stroke survivors and their caregivers to enhance their quality of life. To learn more, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org. |
