NYC Health + Hospitals Earns Honors for Quality in Cardiac and Stroke Care
10 Public Hospitals Recognized by American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for Improving Quality of Care and Patient Outcomes
May 23, 2016
“We are pleased to recognize NYC Health + Hospitals for their commitment to stroke and heart failure care,” said Paul Heidenreich, M.D., M.S., national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. “Research has shown there are benefits to patients who are treated at hospitals that have adopted the Get With The Guidelines program.”
For three years, Vivian Leong struggled to find a physician who would address her mother’s cardiac needs. Vivian’s mother, Ngan Phang suffered from dizzy spells, vomiting, and a weak heartbeat. After a physician near her home in Queens told her a pacemaker would not help her mother’s condition, Vivian was referred to Dr. George Juang, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island. Under Dr. Juang’s care, Ms. Phang underwent surgery for a pacemaker on May 17. The very next day Vivian noticed improvements in her mother’s health. “For the first time in three years my mother’s heartbeat is normal and just a day after receiving the pacemaker her energy has improved. Dr. Juang is pleasant, makes me and my mother comfortable, and takes time to explain my mother’s care plan. I’m so grateful I came to NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island.”
The awards were presented to the NYC Health + Hospitals facilities for meeting and exceeding standards established by the “Get With The Guidelines” program, a national, hospital-based quality improvement initiative created by AHA and ASA to improve the care of patients with cardiac diseases and stroke. To earn this recognition, hospitals must achieve high rates of adherence to quality care standards for stroke care set by the Guidelines program, which includes aggressive use of medications such as clot-busting and anti-clotting drugs, blood thinners and cholesterol-reducing drugs, preventive action for deep vein thrombosis and smoking cessation counseling. To earn the award for excellence in heart failure care, hospitals must demonstrate proper use of medications and aggressive risk-reduction therapies, providing patients with educational materials on managing their heart failure and overall health, and scheduling follow-up visits – all efforts that reduce the rate of avoidable readmissions.
The following NYC Health + Hospitals facilities were recognized by the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association for enhancing stroke and cardiac patient outcomes:
Stroke Award Gold Plus
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln
Heart Failure Award Gold Plus
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
Stroke Award Silver Plus
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island
Stroke Award Gold Plus
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
Heart Failure Award Gold Plus
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
Heart Failure Award Bronze
- NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx
Stroke Award Silver Plus
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem
NYC Health + Hospitals has Stroke Centers of Excellence across New York City and multiple hospitals that are designated as official Stroke Centers by New York State. Dedicated stroke teams are specially trained in stroke diagnosis and treatment, and are committed to providing patients with excellent care, rapid diagnosis and effective treatment. For more information and to get connected to care, patients and families should visit NYCHealthandHospitals.org to find a public hospital in their community.
Contact: Press Office, 212-788-3339
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation with a network of 11 hospitals including six regional trauma centers, community-based health centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, and a correctional health services unit. The system includes a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlusHealth. The health system provides essential services to 1.2 million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the five boroughs. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees are uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. Visit nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected: https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem/ or Twitter @NYCHealthSystem.