DAVENPORT, Fla. — The American College of Cardiology has recognized AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to a cardiac cath lab for care.
AdventHealth Heart of Florida was awarded Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation in January based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the cardiac cath lab.
Inside the cardiac cath lab, patients undergo a cardiac catheterization, a procedure that involves doctors threading a catheter from a blood vessel in the patient’s groin or arm to their heart, with the assistance of an x-ray, to allow them to run tests to determine how well the heart is functioning.
The tests help determine heart and vascular conditions such as blockages in the coronary arteries, congenital heart defects, heart failure, heart valve issues, and blood clots. Cardiac catheterization can also be used to help treat certain conditions, if needed.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and Florida. According to the most recent data available from the Florida Department of Health, the rate of deaths from heart disease in Polk County in 2023 was about 145 per 100,000 people. That was higher than the state average of about 135 per 100,000 people.
Hospitals that have proven exceptional competency in treating patients who require cardiac catheterization have standardized their assessment process for patients before undergoing catheterization to ensure quality and patient safety. They ensure that care in the procedure room for sedation, infection control, radiation safety, universal protocol, and time out procedures is fully coordinated; and have mastered the appropriate transfer to a cath recovery unit to better monitor and track complications, enhance physician-to-patient communication, patient family communication, discharge instructions and follow-up information.
“AdventHealth Heart of Florida has demonstrated its commitment to providing residents in the Polk County area with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award AdventHealth Heart of Florida with Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation.”
Hospitals receiving Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves: completing a gap analysis; examining variances of care; developing an action plan; a rigorous onsite review; and monitoring for sustained success.
Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of cath lab patients. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to improved patient outcomes.
“We are honored to receive this accreditation reflecting our unwavering commitment to compassionate heart care and improving patient outcomes in Polk County and surrounding communities,” AdventHealth Polk Market President and CEO Tim Clark said. “Our hospital’s board-certified cardiologists, nurses and technologist are committed to providing the highest level of cardiac care and work incredibly hard to offer patients personalized care, not just for their heart but for their whole health.”
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like AdventHealth Heart of Florida access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including the cath lab.
— provided by AdventHealth