AdventHealth Heart of Florida Recognized for Excellence with ACC Heart Failure Accreditation

November 20, 2024 — DAVENPORT, Fla. — The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized AdventHealth Heart of Florida for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with heart failure. AdventHealth Heart of Florida was awarded Heart Failure Accreditation in October based on a rigorous onsite review of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with heart failure through pre-hospital care, early stabilization, acute care, transitional care, clinical quality measures and more.

Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Hospitals that employ an evidence-based, protocol-driven and systematic approach to managing heart failure have been able to reduce time to treatment and are able to identify and predict high-risk patients while also reducing length-of-stay and hospital readmissions.

According to the most recently available data from the Florida Department of Health, the heart failure death rate in Polk County was about 17 per 100,000 people in 2022. That was higher than the state average of about 12 per 100,000 people.

“AdventHealth Heart of Florida has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Polk County area with excellent heart care,” Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board, said. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award AdventHealth Heart of Florida with Heart Failure Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Heart Failure Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves completing a gap analysis; examining variances of care, developing an action plan; a rigorous onsite review; and monitoring for sustained success.

Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the precise care of heart failure patients.

Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes, and more effective and efficient disease control.

“We are truly honored to receive this accreditation reflecting our unwavering commitment to reducing cardiovascular disease and improving patient outcomes in Polk County and the surrounding communities,” AdventHealth Polk Market President and CEO Tim Clark said. “Our hospital’s employees work incredibly hard to provide the best heart and whole-person care to our patients to help them live longer, healthier lives.”

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including heart failure.

Learn more about cardiac care at AdventHealth Heart of Florida.

About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. Through its world-renowned family of JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, CardioSmart patient resources and more, the College is committed to ensuring a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes.

Learn more at acc.org or follow @ACCinTouch.