New Level 1 Comprehensive Heart Attack Center Certification (CHAC)

Launched on July 1, The?Comprehensive Heart Attack Center (CHAC)?certification adds new performance measures related to patient discharge orders not included in the existing Primary Heart Attack Center certification.?These new measures, backed by Level 1A evidence, include disease-appropriate medications (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, anti-platelet therapy, etc) prescribed at discharge and referral to an outpatient cardiac rehab program at discharge.?Encouraging providers to follow evidence-based guidelines is important because according to the American Heart Association,?someone experiences a heart attack every 40 seconds.

We know that clear communication surrounding local referral options can increase the chance a patient suffering from a sudden heart attack will be seen quickly and be treated with the best available treatment. This concept precipitated a partnership between the American Heart Association and?The Joint Commission, resulting in their most comprehensive hospital heart attack certification yet.

The American Heart Association, alongside the Joint Commission, a global driver of quality improvement and patient safety in health care, offer the certifications below to recognize institutions dedicated to following the latest science-based guidelines in heart attack care:

• Level I: Comprehensive Heart Attack Center (CHAC) — This new certification level is for hospitals prepared to perform cardiac surgical services and primary PCI at any time
• Level II: Primary Heart Attack Center (PHAC) — Ideal for hospitals consistently performing primary PCI.
• Level III: Acute Heart Attack Ready (AHAR) — For heart attack systems of care referring hospitals that may or may not perform primary (emergency) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).
• Comprehensive Cardiac Center — For hospitals providing care for every touch point in the cardiac care continuum.

Hospitals seeking this highest-level heart attack certification will be measured against the following 9 standardized performance measures

As intensive cardiac rehab program educators, this new certification is welcome news. The implications are far-reaching as noted by prominent medical professionals:

“Because of the nation’s aging population and the importance of timely treatment, cardiac and stroke systems of care are more important than ever...Having certified hospitals in a community can help systems of care function more effectively, with clear direction on where to take patients”?

-?Edward Jauch, M.D., member of the American Heart Association Quality Certification Science Committee and chair of the Department of Research at UNC Health Sciences, in Asheville, North Carolina

“This comprehensive framework ensures all patients have access to appropriate, comprehensive heart attack care when it matters...Providing evidence-based care that improves quality and outcomes for patients is central to the work of the American Heart Association. The new certification joins our existing heart attack certifications to help hospitals elevate their cardiac programs, improving consistency of care for every patient.”

-?Mariell Jessup, M.D., FAHA, chief science and medical officer at the American Heart Association.

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This article was written by Pritikin ICR Zone Director Chuck Blake .