CarolinaEast Medical Center recognized for Excellence with ACC Heart Failure Accreditation

CarolinaEast Health SystemCarolinaEast Medical Center has received the American College of Cardiology’s Heart Failure Accreditation for its demonstrated expertise and commitment to treating patients with heart failure. CarolinaEast Medical Center was awarded Heart Failure Accreditation in December 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.

Heart failure is a 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.

“CarolinaEast Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing Coastal Carolina with excellent heart care,” said Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award CarolinaEast with Heart Failure Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Heart Failure Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process and improved methods and strategies of caring for patients. “This accreditation is proof of our dedicated team that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes and effective disease control,” said David Lau, Clinical Director of Acute Care and Heart Failure Coordinator at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

CarolinaEast also offers a community outreach program for those living with heart failure on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30pm in the Cafeteria Conference Room at the Medical Center. Nurses trained in cardiovascular care offer education and support, including lifestyle tips to improve knowledge and ability to live well with heart failure. Call 252-633-8322 to learn more and register for the February 21st class on “Complications of Heart Failure and Seeking Medical Attention”.

About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team,

the mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members 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 world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.

Submitted by: Megan McGarvey, Director, Public Relations, CarolinaEast Health System