iBerkshires.com Columnist SectionSue Bush
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BMC Earns AMA Honor For Unprecedented Sixth Year12:00AM / Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Pittsfield – Berkshire Medical Center has again been recognized by the American Heart Association for leading the nation in implementing evidence-based guidelines for patients with coronary artery disease and stroke.
Under the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guidelines program, BMC was recently honored with its sixth consecutive Performance Achievement award for outstanding performance in the care of patients with coronary artery disease.
BMC Stands Alone With Six Consecutive Honors
BMC is the only hospital in the nation so honored six years running.
BMC is the only U.S. hospital to be honored with three consecutive Performance Achievement awards for outstanding care of stroke patients.
“The staff at Berkshire Medical Center is making a real difference in the lives of the people we serve,†said David E. Phelps, president of Berkshire Health Systems. “Our community hospital leads the nation in providing care for those with coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. Across numerous disciplines and throughout our continuum of care, the doctors who make up our medical staff, the nurses who work throughout the Medical Center, our technologists, therapists and all other staff have made this all possible. They’re committed to providing the best care possible to our community.â€
One Of The First
“Six years ago, BMC was one of the first hospitals in the country to join this innovative program called Get With The Guidelines,†said Dr. Gray Ellrodt, Chairman of the Department of Medicine at BMC. “It was designed to dramatically improve outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. Heart attacks and stroke are the leading cause of death in Berkshire County and the United States. We wanted to insure that patients with cardiovascular disease receive state-of-the-art therapy 100% of the time – with no exceptions. Our focus was on the individual through a true team approach, our goal was to provide perfect care for each and every patient every time.
BMC has won more national awards for excellence in cardiovascular care from the American Heart Association than any other hospital in the country.
According to Ellrodt, “Since launching these efforts at BMC, deaths from heart attacks, heart disease and stroke have decreased at a significantly faster rate in Berkshire County than the state or the country. How we achieved these results is an extraordinary success story.â€
In addition to achievements in the care of coronary artery disease and stroke patients, BMC has also previously been recognized by the American Heart Association as the first hospital in the U.S. to achieve the annual Performance Achievement award.
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program is designed to increase the use of and adherence to the association’s acute care and secondary prevention guidelines for coronary artery disease.
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