Augusta University Health has received three unique certifications, including the highest quality achievement award from the American Heart Association towards hospitals providing heart failure care.
The American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus award goes to hospitals that have reached an aggressive goal of treating patients to core standard levels outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for two straight years.
Hospitals with this recognition also have to demonstrate compliance with an additional level of heart failure quality during the 24-month or greater period.
“We are pleased to be awarded the American Heart Association’s highest honor in recognition of the world class heart failure care delivered at AU Health,” said Dr. Phillip Coule, vice president and chief medical officer at Augusta University Health. “This award recognizes the excellent care provided by our specialized team of cardiologists, heart surgeons, nurses, and an entire team of professionals dedicated to ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality care for heart failure.”
The Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines.
The program also aims to increase healthy days at home and reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.
“We are pleased to recognize the leaders and teams at Augusta University Health for a strong commitment to caring for people with heart failure,” said Clyde W. Yancy, national chairperson of the American Heart Association Heart Failure systems of care advisory group and chief. “Hospitals that participate in Get With The Guidelines quality improvement programs often see better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
AU Health additionally received two other awards for its high-quality care.
These include The American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award and Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll.
The award aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to heart disease or stroke.
The Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll recognizes hospitals who achieve all five target care components for 50 percent or more of eligible patients with heart failure discharged from the hospital during a specified time frame.
