Albany Medical Center is Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Providing High-Quality Heart Failure Care

Albany Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart failure, meaning reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home.

According to the American Heart Association, about 6.7 million U.S. adults are living with heart failure (HF), a number that is expected to increase to more than eight million by 2030. Despite the name, HF doesn’t mean that the heart has stopped working—it means the heart is having a hard time pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. While there’s no cure for HF, patients can live a quality life by working with their health care team to create and stick with a plan that may include medication, symptom monitoring and lifestyle changes.

The Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure quality achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines. The program aims to increase healthy days at home and reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.

“Albany Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Dan Pauze, MD, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Albany Medical Center. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people throughout our region can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for HF patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their HF at home.

“We are pleased to recognize the leaders and teams at Albany Medical Center for a strong commitment to caring for people with heart failure,” said sabra Lewsey, MD, MPH, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Heart Failure System of Care Advisory Group. “Hospitals that participate in Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure often see better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates—a win for families, communities and health care systems.”

Albany Medical Center is also recognized on the American Heart Association’s Target: Heart Failure Optimal. Hospitals receiving this award meet specific criteria that improve medication adherence, provide early follow-up care and coordination, and enhance patient education. The goal is to further reduce hospital readmissions and help patients improve their quality of life in managing this chronic condition.

Albany Medical Center additionally received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to heart disease or stroke.