Anderson Regional Medical Center has been recognized in U.S. News and World Report for receiving the American College of Cardiology Silver Performance Achievement Award. The award recognizes Anderson’s success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients by meeting aggressive performance measures as outlined by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

“The cardiac team at Anderson continues to set and achieve high goals that improve the outcomes of our heart attack patients and in turn, save lives,” said John Anderson, President and CEO of Anderson Regional Health System in a news release. “This award, combined with being Meridian’s only accredited Chest Pain Center, demonstrates that our physicians and staff have a strong commitment to provide patients with the most advanced cardiac care in this area” 

To receive the award, the hospital must consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines for four consecutive quarters and meet a performance standard of 90 percent or more for specific performance measures.

Dr. Wes Bennett, Interventional Cardiologist with Cardiovascular Institute of the South, said, “A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines that are used as performance measures for the award include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.”

By voluntarily participating in the American College of Cardiology Chest Pain- MI Registry, Anderson is improving patient outcomes using relevant data to drive decision making and improving the quality of care for heart attack patients through hospital –wide evaluation of performance standards. The Chest Pain- MI Registry is the nation’s largest and most authoritative quality improvement registry with 1.5 million patient records and more than 10 years of proven success driving positive health outcomes for patients.

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.

About Anderson Regional Health System

As the most comprehensive health system in East Mississippi and West Alabama, Anderson Regional Health System is the established leader in offering premier medical services. With two hospitals, a cancer center, and a network of clinics, Anderson’s healthcare professionals are committed to the mission of providing a heritage of healing and improving life for the people they serve.