Seven Hackensack Meridian Medical Centers Recognized for Heart Failure Treatment Excellence

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized seven Hackensack Meridian Health medical centers for their demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with heart failure. They include the following:

• Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ
• JFK University Medical Center in Edison, NJ
• Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ
• Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ
• Ocean University Medical Center in Brick, NJ
• Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, NJ
• Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, NJ

The hospitals were awarded Heart Failure Accreditation based on rigorous onsite review of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with heart failure through pre-hospital care, early stabilization, acute care, transitional care, clinical quality measures and more. Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) and JFK University Medical Center (JFKU) extended their commitment to care for the heart failure population beyond the acute hospital setting, and in so doing were awarded this accreditation ‘with Outpatient Services’ acknowledgment.

Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Hospitals that employ an evidence-based, protocol-driven and systematic approach to managing heart failure have been able to reduce time to treatment and are able to identify and predict high-risk patients while also reducing length-of-stay and hospital readmissions.

“Hackensack Meridian Health has demonstrated its commitment to providing the state of New Jersey 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 these Hackensack Meridian medical centers with Heart Failure Accreditation and JSUMC and JFKU; Heart Failure Accreditation with Outpatient Services.” Hospitals receiving Heart Failure Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves: completing a gap analysis; examining variances of care, development of an action plan; a rigorous onsite review; and monitoring for sustained success.

“Approximately 6.7 million adults in the U.S. over 20 years of age suffer with heart failure, and this number is projected to increase to 8.7 million by 2030,” said Elizabeth A. Maiorana, MBA, MSN, R.N., CCCC, vice president, Cardiovascular Service Line, Hackensack Meridian Health. “With these statistics in mind, HMH continues to be dedicated to providing the highest-quality cardiovascular care to everyone who comes through our doors. I’m proud of our heart failure teams for achieving these important accreditations, showcasing their efforts.”

Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the precise care of heart failure patients. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes, and more effective and efficient disease control.

Facilities earning Heart Failure Accreditation with Outpatient Services not only demonstrate the management of acute heart failure, but also provide, or partner with outpatient clinics for, post-discharge care and services to heart failure patients. This approach promotes a smooth transition between the inpatient and outpatient setting and ensures a collaborative team effort to ensure the continuum of care.

For information about Hackensack Meridian’s heart failure services, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/heart-care/heart-failure. For a free physician referral, call 844-HMH-WELL.