St. Francis Hospital recognized nationally for top-quality cardiac, stroke care

IndianapoliS – The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association are recognizing St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers for its performance in treating cardiac and stroke patients using the association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM program.

St. Francis Hospital through its Heart Center joins 518 other hospitals being featured in an advertisement in the July 21st “America’s Best Hospitals” issue of US News & World Report.

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.

Currently, more than 1,450 hospitals use one or more GWTG modules.

“We are proud that the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have chosen the ‘America’s Best Hospitals’ issue of US News & World Report to recognize St. Francis Hospital for our achievements in their Get With The Guidelines program,” said Michael Hertel, executive director of the St. Francis Heart Center. “The program gives our professionals the tools and reports they need to effectively treat our coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke patients.”

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 St. Francis Hospital’s commitment and success in performance achievement.

“The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize its top Get With The Guidelines participants,” said Gregg C Fonarow, M.D., national chairman, Get With The Guidelines steering committee and director, Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. “The program makes it easier for hospitals like St. Francis Hospital to provide appropriate evidence-based care and ultimately improve the quality of life and help reduce the number of deaths in these heart and stroke patients.”

To learn more about the services provided at the Heart Center at St. Francis, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=1.