The American College of Cardiology has recognized Hamilton Medical Center for its demonstrated commitment to comprehensive, high-quality culture and cardiovascular care. HMC was awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence in June based on meeting accreditation criteria, and through their ongoing performance registry reporting. HMC is the only hospital in Georgia to receive the nationally recognized designation.
Hospitals and health systems that have earned an ACC HeartCARE Center designation have met a set of criteria, including participating in at least two ACC Accreditation Services programs, NCDR registries and targeted quality improvement campaigns, such as Patient Navigator Program: Focus MI, that are designed to help hospitals and institutions close gaps in guideline-based care.
HMC was previously awarded Cardiac Cath Lab, Chest Pain Center and Electrophysiology accreditations by ACC Accreditation Services. HMC also participates in the following ACC registries: CathPCI (diagnostic cardiac catheterizations and percutaneous coronary interventions), EP Device Implant (ICD/CRT-D, or implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator and select novel pacemaker procedures), Chest Pain-MI (treatment for acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack), STT/ACC TVT (transcatheter valve therapy procedures), and LAAO (left atrial appendage occlusion procedures).
“Hamilton Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Dalton and surrounding communities with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Hamilton with the HeartCARE Center designation.”
Hospitals receiving the HeartCARE Center designation from the ACC have demonstrated their commitment to consistent, high-quality cardiovascular care through comprehensive process improvement, disease and procedure-specific accreditation, professional excellence and community engagement. As part of the distinction, HMC has been identified as being a forward-thinking institution with goals to advance the cause of sustainable quality improvement, said officials.
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care.
The American College of Cardiology’s mission is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions.