Member News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 10, 2005
OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital recognized by American Heart Association for secondary prevention program
OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital has been recognized by the American Heart Association for its participation in the “Get With The Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease” program. This quality improvement initiative is designed to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks through evidence-based guidelines and procedures while patients are hospitalized.
According to cardiologist N. Kent Wise, M.D., of HeartCare Midwest and OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital, this program focuses on several important aspects of care. “It recognizes the need to be aggressive throughout a patient’s stay—-at admission, during the hospitalization and at discharge,” he said. “We have found the Heart Association approach to be realistic and based on solid research. By following this program, we become better caregivers and the patients benefit.”
Under the program, coronary patients are started on risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers early in their hospital stay. Prior to discharge, patients receive smoking cessation and weight management counseling and referrals for cardiac rehabilitation.
According the American Heart Association, more than 450,000 people suffer recurrent heart attacks each year. Statistics show that within six years after a heart attack, about 22 percent of men and 45 percent of women will be disabled with heart failure. Within one year of an attack, 25 percent of men and 38 percent of women will die.
Research indicates that when the guidelines of this Heart Association program are followed, the risk of a second heart attack is reduced and lives are saved.