Silver award
People with coronary artery disease can take heart in yet another cardiac milestone at Western Baptist Hospital—the second consecutive quality award from the American Heart Association.
On the heels of recent national honors, including being named in Thomson Reuter’s 100 Top Hospitals, Western Baptist recently received the silver performance achievement award for coronary artery disease treatment in AHA’s Get With The Guidelines program.
The award recognizes Western Baptist’s efforts to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks and death among patients with cardiovascular disease. Patients receive cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin and other recommended medication in the hospital, as well as smoking cessation, weight management counseling and referrals for cardiac rehabilitation before they are discharged.
The prestigious silver award honors hospitals that have demonstrated for at least a year that they follow the American Heart Association’s recommended treatment guidelines in at least 85 percent of its eligible heart patients.
It is a level higher than the AHA bronze award received last year, which put the hospital in the top 4 percent in the U.S. for treatment of coronary artery disease. The bronze award recognized 90 days of following the same guidelines.
Patrick Withrow, M.D., Vice President/Chief Medical Officer, said the new award recognizes Western Baptist’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of cardiac care to improve treatment of patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease.
“This award signifies Western Baptist’s desire to exceed patients’ expectations and national standards in excellence in heart care,” said Dr. Withrow. “We are doing that by building advanced facilities, implementing innovative new technologies and recruiting top physicians dedicated to the hospital’s healing mission of care.”
The addition of the Baptist Heart Center in 2007 was Kentucky’s first heart center of its kind west of Louisville, and Western Baptist recently was ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation for chest pain treatment with national accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers.
If you think you’re having a heart attack, don’t wait. Phone 911, or get to your nearest emergency room immediately. To speak with a registered nurse about chest pain and stroke symptoms, phone Western Baptist’s 24-hour award-winning Chest Pain Hotline at 1-800-575-1911.