MD hospitals earn national AHA honors for heart and stroke care

Once again, Maryland has demonstrated the strength of its health care system — particularly in the treatment of heart disease and stroke, which remain the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States. Research consistently shows that patients achieve better outcomes when providers adhere closely to evidence-based treatment guidelines.

A total of 38 Maryland hospitals received multiple Get with the Guidelines achievement awards from the American Heart Association for excellence in the treatment of heart disease and stroke. The recognitions reflect measurable improvements in survival rates, recovery times and reductions in hospital readmissions.

What the awards mean

The core goal of the AHA’s Get with the Guidelines program, which launched in 2001, is to help hospitals deliver care that is fully aligned with the latest scientific evidence and national clinical guidelines. When treatment is consistent with proven standards of care, patient outcomes naturally improve.

Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a volunteer member of the AHA’s Stroke Systems of Care Advisory Group, director of the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center and co-director of the Preventive Cardiology Program, contributed to the creation of the initiative.

“The program’s goal is to ensure that the best available science is consistently translated into bedside care,” Fonarow said.

Measuring quality improvement

The annual awards are based on adherence to evidence-based care metrics across conditions like stroke, heart failure and coronary artery disease.

“The program provides hospitals with real-time data, feedback and quality improvement tools so that evidence-based care becomes the everyday standard for every patient,” said Fonarow.

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Dr. Henry Sun, cardiologist and director of the LifeBridge Health Cardiovascular Institute, emphasized the importance of systemwide collaboration.

“We work with each of our LifeBridge Health hospitals to ensure collaboration not only within departments, but across the entire system,” Sun said. Quoting management expert Peter Drucker, Sun added that what gets measured gets managed.” That philosophy guides the review process to minimize delays in care, identify resources needed and ultimately benefit patient outcomes,” he said.

Today, more than 2,400 hospitals nationwide participate in the program, contributing more than 12 million patient records on heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart attack and resuscitation.

Those who participate in the program use the data collected to evaluate patient measures, including discharge status and health outcomes at 30, 60 and 90 days following hospitalization.

“When a hospital earns a Get with the Guidelines award, it signals to patients that their core care team is committed to delivering treatment that his evidence-based and proven to improve outcomes,” said Fonarow, adding that it also means that the hospital is providing care that aligns with the latest national standards.

Neil Roy, chief medical officer Shady Grove Medical Center (Adventist HealthCare), said that being recognized by the AHA is an honor. “What matters most, however, is knowing our stroke and heart care is making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors, families and friends throughout the community,” he said.

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A rapidly evolving field

According to Sun, cardiovascular care continues to advance at a rapid pace.

“We are developing newer and better technologies that can treat coronary blockages previously deemed untreatable, minimally invasive ways to treat valvular disorders and faster techniques to treat heart rhythm disorders,” said Sun, adding that AI is also being used for early disease detection and providing more accurate diagnoses.

Part of the American Heart Association’s Get with The Guidelines program focuses on translating the latest scientific evidence into everyday clinical practice. These awards appear to affirm that mission, underscoring the quality of care delivered across Maryland and aligning with Gov. Wes Moore’s assertion that the state leads the nation in advancing innovative, affordable, and accessible health care that improves outcomes and strengthens communities.

The hospitals recognized:

• Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center
• Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center
• Anne Arundel Medical Center
• Atlantic General Hospital
• Calvert Health Medical Center
• Carroll Hospital Center
• Doctors Community Medical Center
• Frederick Memorial Hospital
• Greater Baltimore Medical Center
• Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
• Holy Cross Hospital – Silver Spring
• Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
• Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
• MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
• MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
• MedStar Harbor Hospital
• MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
• MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
• MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital
• MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
• Mercy Medical Center-MD
• Meritus Medical Center
• Northwest Hospital
• Saint Agnes Hospital
• Sinai Hospital
• Suburban Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine
• The Johns Hopkins Hospital
• TidalHealth Peninsula Regional
• Union Hospital of Cecil County
• University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
• University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center
• University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center
• University of Maryland Medical Center
• University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton
• University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
• University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center at Aberdeen
• UPMC Western Maryland
• Upper Chesapeake Medical Center