Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Receives Get with The Guidelines Quality Achievement Awards for Exceptional Heart Failure and Stroke Care

American Heart Association and American Stroke Association Award recognizes PVHMC’scommitment to quality heart failure and stroke care

POMONA, Calif., September 10, 2021 ― Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) has received two national American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Achievement Awards, including the:

· Gold Plus—Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Award, 5th year in a row, and

· Gold Plus—Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll Award, 12th year in a row

These achievements are awarded to hospitals that implement quality improvement measures that ensure cardiovascular patients receive efficient and coordinated care, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer returns to the hospital.

Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of cardiovascular disease – including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. For patients with conditions that are severe enough to be transported or admitted to a hospital, time is critical.

PVHMC earned the awards by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure and stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and aggressive risk-reduction therapies aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their conditions and overall health. Patients get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

“We are honored to be continuously recognized for the hard work and innovation of our cardiovascular teams in ensuring our patients have the best possible chance of survival and recovery after cardiovascular events,” said Richard E. Yochum, FACHE, President/CEO. “The Get with the Guidelines programs help put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis to improve outcomes for cardiovascular patients.”

As a designated Comprehensive Stroke Center, Chest Pain Center and STEMI Receiving Center, PVHMC has also met specific scientific guidelines featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke and heart failure patients admitted to the emergency department.

“We are pleased to recognize Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center for their commitment to cardiovascular care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the American Heart Association’s quality improvement programs often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

For more information on the nationally-recognized cardiovascular services offered at PVHMC, click here.