FREEPORT - FHN Memorial Hospital has been named the recipient of a 2008 VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence in cardiac care. FHN is one of just 16 VHA member hospitals nationwide to receive this award for excellence in treating heart attack patients. VHA, Inc., a healthcare provider alliance of more than 2,400 not-for-profit healthcare organizations, honored FHN at its annual Leadership Conference in Philadelphia May 4.
"We're extremely pleased to be receiving this award, because it validates the dedicated focus of our clinical staff and physicians to provide excellent care for our cardiac patients," said Michael Perry, MD, president and CEO of FHN.
"Timely and effective care for heart attack patients saves lives and healthcare dollars," said Trent Haywood, MD, JD, chief medical officer at VHA. "FHN is a shining example of what can be achieved when a hospital's actions are guided by the pursuit of clinical excellence."
The VHA 2008 Leadership Award for clinical excellence in cardiac care is based on the latest set of measures that has been nationally accepted as indicators of quality. "Our participation in VHA helps us achieve a higher level of performance both operationally and clinically, and we are pleased to receive recognition from VHA for our work in cardiac care," Perry said.
For heart attacks, best practice standards include:
• Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's arrival
• Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's discharge
• ACE inhibitors or beta blocker administration for left ventricular systolic dysfunction
• Adult smoking cessation advice or counseling provided to patient prior to discharge
• Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's arrival
• Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's discharge
• Amount of time until thrombolysis ("clot busting" drugs) administered
• Amount of time until PCI (Percutaneous coronary intervention - angioplasty) administered
FHN ranked in the top 10 percent of the nation on these best practice standards, based on data from the Joint Commission.
"We're extremely pleased to be receiving this award, because it validates the dedicated focus of our clinical staff and physicians to provide excellent care for our cardiac patients," said Michael Perry, MD, president and CEO of FHN.
"Timely and effective care for heart attack patients saves lives and healthcare dollars," said Trent Haywood, MD, JD, chief medical officer at VHA. "FHN is a shining example of what can be achieved when a hospital's actions are guided by the pursuit of clinical excellence."
The VHA 2008 Leadership Award for clinical excellence in cardiac care is based on the latest set of measures that has been nationally accepted as indicators of quality. "Our participation in VHA helps us achieve a higher level of performance both operationally and clinically, and we are pleased to receive recognition from VHA for our work in cardiac care," Perry said.
For heart attacks, best practice standards include:
• Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's arrival
• Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's discharge
• ACE inhibitors or beta blocker administration for left ventricular systolic dysfunction
• Adult smoking cessation advice or counseling provided to patient prior to discharge
• Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's arrival
• Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's discharge
• Amount of time until thrombolysis ("clot busting" drugs) administered
• Amount of time until PCI (Percutaneous coronary intervention - angioplasty) administered
FHN ranked in the top 10 percent of the nation on these best practice standards, based on data from the Joint Commission.
