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UHS recognized for care of patients with heart failure

April 13, 2018

HF_ACCAHA_LockUpWEBUHS has been awarded Heart Failure Accreditation by the American College of Cardiology for the healthcare system’s commitment to effectively treating patient with heart failure.

The accreditation is based on a rigorous on-site review of the UHS clinical staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat persons with heart failure according to evidence-based guidelines, from pre-hospital care and early stabilization to acute care, transitional care and clinical quality measures.

Heart failure is a specific medical condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood effectively to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Most often, heart failure is a chronic condition that requires management with medications and lifestyle adjustments.

“UHS has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Southern Tier with excellent care,” said Phillip Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC’s accreditation management board. “We are proud to award Heart Failure Accreditation to UHS.”

UHS was able to show that it has streamlined processes, implemented guidelines and standards, and adopted best practices in the precise care of patients experiencing heart failure. This has enabled UHS to identify high-risk patients while also reducing length of stay and hospital readmissions.

“Achieving accreditation means that we meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, clinicians and administrators that earnestly supports excellence in patient education, outcomes and disease control,” said Emily Dorval, PhD, RN, MBA, NE-BC, Director of Nursing for Cardiovascular Services at UHS.

Continuing, Emily noted, “We are very pleased with the work of this team and all they are able to consistently accomplish in the lives of the patients they serve.”

The ACC and the American Heart Association are collaborating to offer hospitals like UHS 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, including heart failure.

The American College of Cardiology is the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team.

Its mission and that of its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health.

UHS is a locally owned, not-for-profit hospital and healthcare system serving Greater Binghamton and surrounding counties. Founded in 1981, UHS provides a full range of medical, surgical, rehabilitative and long-term care services throughout New York’s Southern Tier.

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