Grady Earns National Recognition for Heart Failure Care

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Gold Plus award for Grady’s commitment to prioritizing quality care for heart failure patients.

Grady Health System has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines^®-Heart Failure Quality Achievement Award. The honor recognizes Grady for the hospital’s commitment to ensuring heart failure patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines founded in the latest scientific evidence. The goal is to expedite recovery and reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.

“Grady is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients with heart failure by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure initiative,” said Annie Cheek, Vice President Heart & Vascular Services, Grady Health System.

“The end goal is to ensure more people can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year program participants demonstrate how their organization has committed to providing quality care for heart failure patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their heart failure once at home. There are six levels of achievement – Gold Plus, Gold, Silver Plus, Silver, Bronze, and Participating.

“We are pleased to recognize Grady for their commitment to heart failure care,” said Clyde W. Yancy, M.D., MSc, MACC, FAHA, MACP, FHFSA, national chairperson of the American Heart Association Heart Failure systems of care advisory group and chief, division of cardiology at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. “Hospitals that follow Get With The Guidelines protocols often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for healthcare systems, families and communities.”

Grady is also recognized on the association’s Target: Heart Failure^SM Honor Roll. Hospitals are required to meet specific criteria that improves medication adherence, provides early follow-up care and coordination, and enhances patient education. The goal is to reduce hospital readmissions and help patients improve their quality of life in managing this chronic condition.

Additionally, Grady received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90% of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”