Parkridge Medical Center has received the Get With The Guidelines-AFIB Silver Quality 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. The hospital had previously earned the Bronze Award in 2015. The Silver Award demonstrates additional clinical measures performed for an even higher recognition level.
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, officials said.
Parkridge Medical Center earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures.
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.
“Parkridge Medical Center is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients with atrial fibrillation, and 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,” said Barry Bell, Cardiac Services director for Parkridge Medical Center.
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.