Orlando Regional Medical Center honored with quality achievement award for atrial fibrillation care
Orlando, Fla. (July 20, 2016) — Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) recently received the Get With The Guidelines®-AFIB Silver Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation.
Get With The Guidelines-AFIB was developed to assist healthcare professionals to provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for patients with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke and other complications.
ORMC earned the award by meeting 85 percent or higher adherence on all achievement measures applicable to atrial fibrillation (AFIB) for 12 consecutive months. These measures include proper use of medications and aggressive risk reduction therapies, such as safe anticoagulants to prevent stroke. Also evaluated is the usage of medications to stabilize the heart rate and rhythm and other medications needed to treat additional heart disease. Before they are discharged, patients receive education on managing their condition and stroke risk, counseling if needed, and plans on follow-up care.
“We are committed to improving the quality of care for our patients with atrial fibrillation,” said Roland Filart, MD, one of the physician leaders with ORMC’s Atrial Fibrillation Program. “Implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-AFIB program helps us accomplish this goal by tracking and measuring our success in meeting internationally-respected clinical guidelines.”
Get With The Guidelines-AFIB is an important part of our Atrial Fibrillation Program.
“Our program is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals and administrators, working together to review patient care processes and implement changes for continued improved outcomes,” said Janette Sendin, MSN, CNS, CCNS, PCCN, clinical nurse specialist and atrial fibrillation program coordinator, Cardiology Service Line,. “We offer innovative procedures and surgical options and education for patients and staff. Together these initiatives contribute to lower readmissions, help patients manage their condition and improve quality of life.”
“We are pleased to recognize ORMC for their commitment to atrial fibrillation care,” said Paul Heidenreich, M.D., M.S., national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. “Research has shown there are benefits to patients who are treated at hospitals that have adopted the Get With The Guidelines program. Get With The Guidelines research has demonstrated the impact of lowering 30-day readmissions and reducing mortality rates.”
According to the American Heart Association, more than 2.7 million adults suffer from atrial fibrillation. The condition accounts for about one-third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbance and is associated with a five-fold increase risk of stroke. Proper treatment of atrial fibrillation can reduce these risks.
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About Orlando Health
Orlando Health is a $2.3 billion not-for-profit health care organization and a community-based network of physician practices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers throughout Central Florida. The organization is home to the area’s only Level One Trauma Centers for adults and pediatrics and is a statutory teaching hospital system that offers both specialty and community hospitals. More than 2,000 physicians have privileges at Orlando Health, which is also one of the area’s largest employers with more than 15,000 employees who serve nearly 2 million Central Florida residents and more than 4,500 international patients annually. Additionally, Orlando Health provides nearly $235 million in support of community health needs. More information can be found at www.orlandohealth.com.
About Get With The Guidelines
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 6 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Sabrina Childress, Orlando Health
Media Relations & Public Affairs Manager
Phone: 321.841.8748
Email: [email protected]
