STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY HEART CENTER, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ATTAIN TWO MAJOR PATIENT SAFETY ACHIEVEMENTS IN CARDIAC CARE
Among Best in Nation for Clinical Outcomes for Cardiology; Passes Rigorous Review by National Society and is First Accredited Chest Pain Center on LI
STONY BROOK, NY, September 19, 2008 – Cardiac services offered at the Stony Brook University Heart Center feature prominently alongside the nation’s top academic medical centers according to recent data from the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC). The UHC is an alliance of approximately 90 percent of the nation’s non-profit academic medical centers, whose goal is to advance knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote change to help the nation’s medical centers succeed in their respective markets.
In the 12 months ending in March 2008, the Heart Center at Stony Brook University ranked 3rd best out of 96 academic medical centers for the lowest overall cardiac mortality; ranked 5th best out of 95 hospitals for the lowest mortality following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI /angioplasty) and 10th best out of 96 hospitals for the lowest mortality following acute myocardial infarction. In the category of mortality for patients with congestive heart failure, the Heart Center ranked 5th best out of 96 hospitals.
“By combining the highest quality care with the newest technology in an academic environment, Stony Brook cardiologists are able to accurately diagnose cardiovascular disease and treat it with the latest evidence-based therapies.” said Dr. David L. Brown, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine and Co-Director of the Heart Center. “The UHC data confirms that this approach improves survival.”
In related news, Stony Brook University Medical Center is the first on Long Island, sixth in the State of New York, to be Accredited as a Chest Pain Center the by the Society of Chest Pain Centers (CPC).
“Our Chest Pain Center was first accredited in 2005, and this re-accreditation is truly a sign that the community EMS, our Emergency Department and our Cath Lab collaborate successfully,” said Dr. Steven L. Strongwater, CEO. “Clearly this certification has helped improve patient survival and quality of life, as indicated in Stony Brook’s emergence as one of the nation’s best for clinical outcomes for cardiology – a direct testament and endorsement of the Society of Chest Pain Centers’ criteria.”
Hospitals accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers have been shown to perform better in the heart attack core measures established by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as compared to non-accredited hospitals, according to a national study
reported in the July issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
With 50 board-certified cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons as well as over 350 specially trained nurses, therapists and staff the Heart Center at Stony Brook University Medical Center is Long Island’s only university based heart service and offers the only open heart surgery program in Suffolk County. The cardiac service is able to provide a comprehensive and innovative multidisciplinary program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
“A tremendous effort doesn’t just happen, but requires incredible team work and dedication,” says Dr. Lee Ann Xippolitos, Chief Nursing Officer. “It makes us all proud to know that world class care is provided to the people of Suffolk County – right in their own back yard.”
Stony Brook University Medical Center is the only academic medical center on Long Island. It comprises Stony Brook University School of Medicine and Stony Brook University Hospital, which is the only tertiary care hospital and Level 1 trauma center in Suffolk County. With 540 beds and 5,100 employees, it is the largest hospital in Suffolk County. The Heart Center performs the only open-heart surgery in Suffolk and the Cancer Center and Cerebrovascular Center attract patients from throughout the region with cutting edge diagnostic and treatment facilities. Stony Brook is home to Long Island’s first kidney transplantation program which has performed over 1,000 transplants, and initiated the nation’s first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. The hospital is also the regional referral center for trauma, perinatal and neonatal intensive care, burns, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, cystic fibrosis, pediatric/adult AIDS, and is the regional resource center for emergency management. Stony Brook’s Stroke program is certified by the Joint Commission and the NYS Department of Health; and, Stony Brook is home to the Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Long Island’s first comprehensive ALS Center.
About the UHC
The University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), formed in 1984, is an alliance of 102 academic medical centers and 191 of their affiliated hospitals representing approximately 90% of the nation’s non-profit academic medical centers. UHC offers its members specific programs and services to improve clinical, operational and patient safety performance. The mission of the University HealthSystem Consortium is to advance knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote change to help members succeed in their respective markets. UHC’s vision is to be a catalyst for change, accelerating the achievement of clinical and operational excellence.
About the CPC
The CPC is a society without walls whose primary purpose significantly reduce heart attack deaths. It is a patient-centered professional society with a mission to improve the clinical process for the early assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ACS. The Society is guided by a multidisciplinary team of experts in the areas of cardiology, emergency medicine, process improvement and nursing.
