More than 2,500 health care organizations recognized for commitment to high-quality cardiovascular care

(NewMediaWire) – July 28, 2022 – DALLAS — The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives for all, has recognized 2,530 health care and emergency response organizations — nearly 300 more than in 2021 — for their commitment to improving outcomes for cardiovascular patients through efficient and coordinated care.

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® and Mission: Lifeline® are hospital-based quality improvement recognition programs that use the latest evidence-based scientific guidelines to save lives and hasten health care recovery times. Through these programs, the American Heart Association recognizes participating hospitals, clinics and emergency medical services systems for demonstrating their dedication to improving quality care and reducing barriers to prompt treatment, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer returns to the hospital.

Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline award categories cover treatment for stroke, high cholesterol, cardiac arrest, heart failure, STEMI heart attack, Type 2 diabetes and AFib. Award levels range from gold to bronze status depending on the number of requirements met for each designation.

“Patients’ lives depend on efficient, coordinated care during cardiovascular events,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, M.D., ScM, FAHA, immediate past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and chair of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Preventive Medicine. “The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® and Mission: Lifeline® programs help hospitals ensure every patient entrusted to their care is treated to the highest, research-based standards.”

For the fourth year, award recipients include health care systems from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico. More than 12,200 quality improvement awards were earned this year, with many organizations earning more than one award.

“The American Heart Association has a long history of championing quality improvement efforts, and this year’s award recipients put in the work to ensure equitable, quality care in communities across the nation while facing the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and other public health crises,” said Lloyd-Jones. “Health care organizations spanning the entire nation see the value these programs bring and how the American Heart Association supports their commitment to quality health care.”

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke or heart attack, and heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively.[1] Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

Visit U.S. News & World Report to view the full list of recipients by state and award. Learn more about Get With The Guidelines or Mission: Lifeline at www.heart.org/qualityimprovement.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.  

About Mission: Lifeline

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for STEMI patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation clinical treatment guidelines. For more information, visit heart.org.

About Get With The Guidelines

Get With The Guidelines^® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

For Media Inquiries:

Michelle Rosenfeld, 214-706-1099, michelle.rosenfeld@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and  stroke.org