CINCINNATI—Feb. 13, 2013—University of Cincinnati Medical Center has received the Get With The Guidelines®–Heart Failure Silver Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The recognition signifies that UC Medical Center has reached an aggressive goal of treating heart failure patients according to the guidelines of care recommended by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology.
UC Medical Center’s staff has continually developed and implemented acute and secondary prevention guidelines to provide excellence in patient care and outcomes. The quick and efficient use of these guidelines can improve the quality of care for heart failure patients, save lives and ultimately, reduce healthcare costs by lowering the recurrence of heart attacks. Hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level for a designated period of time to be eligible for the achievement awards from the American Heart Association and UC Medical Center has met and exceeded this criteria.
“We are committed to making our care for heart failure patients among the best in the country. Our community benefits from having such a dedicated and talented staff right in their own backyards and they are to be commended for their commitment to improving the care of our patients. This recognition demonstrates that we are on the right track and I am very proud of our team” stated Stephanie Dunlap, DO, Medical Director of Heart Failure Treatment and Heart Transplant Program at UC Medical Center.
Heart failure patients at UC Medical Center are started on aggressive risk-reduction therapies if needed, including cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, diuretics and anticoagulants while in the hospital. Before discharge, they also receive education on managing their heart failure and overall health, including lifestyle modifications and follow-up care.
According to the American Heart Association, about 5.7 million people suffer from heart failure. Statistics also show that, each year, 670,000 new cases are diagnosed and more than 277,000 people will die of heart failure. However, many heart failure patients can lead a full, enjoyable life when their condition is managed with proper medications and devices and with healthy lifestyle changes.
About UC Health
UC Health, the University of Cincinnati’s affiliated health system, includes University of Cincinnati Medical Center, ranked one of the best hospitals in the region by U.S. News & World Report; West Chester Hospital, one of Cincinnati’s newest hospitals and the recipient of the 2012 HealthGrades® Outstanding Patient Experience Award™, ranking it above 90 percent of hospitals nationally for patient satisfaction; Drake Center, Cincinnati’s premier provider of long-term acute care; University of Cincinnati Physicians, Cincinnati’s largest multi-specialty practice group with more than 700 board-certified clinicians and surgeons; Lindner Center of HOPE, the region’s premier mental health center; and several institutes focusing on the areas of cancer, the neurosciences, cardiovascular and diabetes. To learn more, visit UCHealth.com.
-###-
Media Contact
Diana Lara, Corporate Director of Media Relations
513-558-4657
diana.lara@uchealth.com
