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Tuesday, May 31, 2005 – MeritCare Heart Center Receives Leadership Award For Clinical Excellence From VHA
VHA Inc., a national health care provider, has recognized MeritCare Heart Center for excellence in heart care. MeritCare is one of 92 VHA member hospitals nationwide to receive its 2005 Leadership Award for clinical excellence in heart care. The award was presented earlier this month at VHA's annual leadership conference in Atlanta, Ga.
"This award validates the dedicated focus of our clinical staff and doctors to improve the care provided to our heart patients," Carla Hansen, MeritCare Heart Center executive partner. "By adopting evidence-based measures as a standard part of a heart patient's plan of care, we are able to monitor and measure the overall rate of improvement in outcomes. Those in the region who depend on us for their health care can be assured that we will continue to seek ways to enhance care and improve their well-being."
The VHA 2005 Leadership Award for clinical excellence in heart care is based on the latest set of measures that has been nationally accepted as indicators of quality. The best practice standards for heart care are divided according to the problem that is being treated. For heart attack, or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), some of the standards include:
- Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's arrival and discharge
- ACEI for LVSD (medication treatment for heart failure)
- Smoking cessation advice/counseling provided to patient prior to discharge
- Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's discharge and arrival
- Amount of time until thrombolysis and PTCA administered
MeritCare Heart Center achieved at least a 90 percent compliance with all rate-based indicators to qualify for the award.
VHA Inc. is a national health care provider alliance of leading not-for-profit health care organizations that work together to improve the health of the communities they serve. The organization delivers industry leading supply chain management services and enables regional and national member networks to improve clinical and operational performance and drive sustainable results. Based in Irving, Texas, VHA has 18 local offices serving members across the United States.
MeritCare Heart Center is part of MeritCare Health System, a not-for-profit health system headquartered in Fargo, N.D. MeritCare was founded in the early 1900s and is one of the premier medical centers in the region. MeritCare is comprised of a 583-bed hospital in two Fargo locations, 383 physicians, 103 mid-level providers and a network of 27 regional clinic locations in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.