Loretto’s state-of-the-art Restorative Care Unit recently earned the Skilled Nursing Facility Heart Failure Certification offered by the American Heart Association and is now the only facility in Upstate New York to have this certification. The American Heart Association certification recognizes commitment to following the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines
The Skilled Nursing Facility Heart Failure Certification provides an evidence-based framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against the American Heart Association’s rigorous science-based requirements for heart failure (HF) patients, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management, and quality improvement. To obtain certification, a skilled nursing facility must align its cardiac program with evidence-based guidelines, provide comprehensive care, and pass a formal evaluation.
“Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care practices,” said Cory Woods, DNP, MHA, MSN, RN, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Quality Certification Business Management Committee and assistant chief clinical officer at Rockport Healthcare Services in Los Angeles. “When there are clear processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes.”
Nearly 1 in 4 HF patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge, and approximately half are readmitted within 6 months; about one quarter of readmissions may be preventable. This certification can support facilities’ efforts to stop preventable readmissions.
“The Restorative Care Unit offers customized care to support the recovery of patients after a major health event with the goal of helping them recover and avoid readmission to the hospital,” said Loretto’s Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Joelle Margrey, DNP, MSN, CNL, RN, CLNC. “Earning this certification is one example of how we continue to find new ways to help our heart failure patients to ensure we are providing the best care possible.”
To be eligible for this certification, the facility must be in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and implement an HF program that uses a standardized method of delivering clinical care based on current evidence-based guidelines. Learn more about this certification and others at www.Heart.org/CertifiedCare.