“Quality patient care translates into lives saved,” said Sidney
Smith, Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and Past President and Past Chief Science Officer of the American Heart
Association. “This is why the American Heart Association/American
Stoke Association is supporting a recognition program for clinicians providing
quality care. This program closes the gap by putting into practice American
Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines and statements
to fight heart disease and stroke.”
To find out if your clinician has been recognized by the Heart/Stroke Recognition
Program or for further information, please visit
http://www.ncqa.org/HSRP. To order application materials, call (888) 275-7585 or order online at
web.ncqa.org/hsrppubs.aspx.
More than 60 million Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular
disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United
States, responsible for approximately 950,000 deaths each year. Approximately
700,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year; stroke is the third-leading
cause of death and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability. Despite
evidence that reducing cholesterol levels and controlling high blood pressure
prevent further health complications, many cardiac and stroke patients
are not treated effectively for these symptoms.
The American Heart Association spent almost $389 million during fiscal
year 2001-2002 on research support, public and professional education,
and community programs. The organization has more than 22.5 million volunteers
and supporters carrying out its mission in communities across the country.
The association is the largest voluntary health organization fighting
heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, which annually
kill about 950,000 Americans.
The goal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American
Heart Association, is to raise awareness of stroke and reduce disability
and death from stroke. In its 2001-2002 fiscal year, the American Stroke
Association spent almost $86 million on stroke-related research and education programs.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2010, NCQU is a private non-profit
organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality. NCQA accredits
and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. It also recognizes
clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare
Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely
used performance measurement tool in healthcare. NCQA is committed to
providing healthcare quality information for consumers, purchases, healthcare
providers and researchers.
About Catawba Valley Medical Center
Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, N.C., is the region’s largest
not-for-profit, public healthcare system and serves the community without
direct funding from taxes. CVMC provides and promotes physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving
as a center for health education, wellness services, preventive medicine
and acute care. CVMC has received three Magnet designations from the American
Nurses Credentialing Center and has been recognized with two Women’s
Choice Awards, being named one of America’s Best 100 Hospitals for
Patient Experience and a 2013 Best Hospital for Patient Experience in
Obstetrics by WomenCertified®. For more information, please visit
http://www.catawbavalleymedical.org.