The Heart Center of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centerhas earned certification from the Joint Commission for two specific disease-management programs, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and congestive heart failure (CHF). These designations mean that the Heart Center complies with the highest national standards for quality of care and safety.
The AMI and CHF disease-management programs underwent extensive evaluation in May by a team of Joint Commission reviewers who measured these programs against Joint Commission standards. The reviewers conducted interviews with patients and staff and assessed each program’s processes and ability to evaluate and improve care.
“This certification means that Wake Forest Baptist’s Heart Center does the right things and does them well for these AMI and CHF patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.
“Our Heart Center voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the safety and quality of care we provide,” said Rich Lundy, administrative director of cardiology diagnostic services at Wake Forest Baptist. “We’re very proud of these achievements. Our physicians, nurses, therapists, staff and administrators, work hard every day to ensure the best care possible for our patients.”
The Heart Center of Wake Forest Baptist is internationally known for pioneering work in diagnostic technologies, treatment innovation and improved outcomes in key cardiac procedures. The Heart Center provides a seamless continuum of care with a lengthy list of cardiac services, including minimally invasive surgeries, valve repairs and replacements, treatments of complicated arrhythmias, pediatric cardiology and heart transplants.
More than 5 million Americans visit hospitals each year with chest pain. About one out of every five deaths in the U.S. is due to a heart attack (AMI). An estimated 4.7 million Americans suffer from CHF, with 400,000 new cases reported each year. Heart failure is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in people age 65 and older and accounts for more than 875,000 hospital admissions each year in the United States.
The Joint Commission launched its Disease-Specific Care Certification program in 2002. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.
For more information about Wake Forest Baptist’s Heart Center, go to the website at wfubmc.edu/heart.
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Media Relations
Bonnie Davis: bdavis@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-1597