Five HCA West Florida Hospitals First in Tampa Bay to Be AFib Certified

HCA West Florida has announced that five of its AFib & Heart Rhythm Centers have received a prestigious certification measuring their performance in treating the nation’s most common heart-rhythm problem.

The following hospitals recently earned full Atrial Fibrillation Certification status from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC) – making them the first in the Tampa Bay area to be certified:

· Brandon Regional Hospital

· Edward White Hospital

· Largo Medical Center

· Northside Hospital

· St. Petersburg General Hospital

“This certification involves rigorous evaluation of every step along the continuum of care, to ensure we’ve implemented the latest in evidence-based best practices,” said Peter A. Marmerstein, FACHE, President of HCA West Florida. “Atrial fibrillation affects nearly 5 million Americans, and can increase the risk of stroke fivefold – so when the SCPC launched this program, we jumped at the chance to ensure we’re doing what we can to enhance quality of life for these patients.”

“AFib is a complex condition to treat,” said cardiac electrophysiologist John F. Norris, M.D. “By undergoing certification, we’re offering patients some uniformity in their care – and making sure it’s based on the latest guidelines and most advanced techniques.”

The certification was coordinated through the HCA West Florida Atrial Fibrillation Advisory Team, led by physicians Dr. John F. Norris, Dr. Robert C. Sheppard, Dr. Ronald Walsh and Dr. Luis R. Annoni.

The SCPC specialized certification is limited to facilities that demonstrate expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting a wide set of stringent criteria and undergoing a comprehensive review. Criteria include:

· Emergency Department Integration with Emergency Medical Services

· Emergency Assessment of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

· Risk Stratification of the Atrial Fibrillation Patient

· Treatment for Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department in Atrial Fibrillation

· Atrial Fibrillation Discharge Criteria from the Emergency Department, Observation Services, or Inpatient Stay

· Atrial Fibrillation Patient and Community Education

September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness month, and HCA West Florida’s AFib and Heart Rhythm Centers will be hosting a number of educational programs, including free seminars and guided tours of an electrophysiology lab. For more information or to sign up, visit http://www.hcawestflorida.com/AFib.

Participating in the certification process and community education initiatives is another component in HCA West Florida’s continuing efforts to enhance operations and offer quality patient care in all its hospitals. More than $136.8 million in renovations, infrastructure and technology improvements are underway at HCA West Florida hospitals throughout Tampa Bay.

“As the largest health system in the Tampa Bay area, we have a commitment to doing everything we can to make a positive impact on patient care. That’s always our goal,” said Marmerstein.

###

About HCA West Florida:

HCA’s West Florida Division provides a complete continuum of high-quality programs and services to meet the healthcare needs of residents and businesses throughout west Florida, caring for 1 million patients last year. HCA West Florida is the Tampa Bay region’s largest healthcare system with 16 hospitals on 18 campuses, 12 ambulatory surgery centers, numerous diagnostic imaging and occupational health sites, physician practices, medical education and teaching programs, regional lab, and consolidated service center. All 16 hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission and 12 hospitals earned distinction as Top Performers on Key Quality Measures™ last year. HCA West Florida is affiliated with HCA, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services, comprised of locally managed facilities that include 165 hospitals and 115 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and London.