The American Heart Association presents multiple Achievement Awards for implementation of quality care for patients

Milton, Mass. – Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton has received two American Heart Association Achievement Awards for implementing 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.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs help reduce barriers to prompt treatment for cardiovascular events. As a participant in Get With The Guidelines programs, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Milton applied for the award recognitions by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care for patients.

“We at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton are honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our strong commitment to helping our patients have the best possible chance of survival and recovery after cardiovascular events,” said Richard Fernandez, president of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton. “This is the first time BID Milton has received this award, and to be a dual-award winner is a well-earned recognition of the hard work our clinicians, nurses and staff put in every day, and how their work directly impacts our patients and their families.”

This year, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton received the following Achievement Awards:

• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll- A national honor roll program for hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines (HF, Stroke) to reinforce evidence-based guidelines with hospitals that qualify for a Silver level or higher achievement award in the related Get With The Guidelines module. These hospitals must be able to demonstrate at least 90% compliance for 12 consecutive months (calendar year) for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score” measure in the selected module.
• Get With The Guidelines - Stroke: Gold Plus Achievement- These hospitals are recognized for two or more consecutive calendar years of 85% or higher adherence on all achievement measures applicable and 75% or higher adherence with additional select quality measures in stroke.

“We are pleased to recognize Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton for their commitment to cardiovascular care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., FAHA, FAAN, FANA, national chairperson of the American Heart Association’s Quality Oversight Committee and Vice President of Virtual Care, Director of the Center for Telehealth, 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.”

About Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton (BID Milton) is a member of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a health care system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals. More than 4,000 physicians and 38,000 employees share in a mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.