VHA Inc., a national health care alliance based in Irving, Texas, has recognized Heritage Hospital for excellence in cardiac care. 

Heritage is one of 16 VHA member hospitals nationwide to receive a 2008 Leadership Award for excellence in treating heart attack patients. The hospital was honored at VHA’s Leadership Conference in Philadelphia on May 4.

Heritage has been a VHA member since 1998. Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Nash General Hospital and Nash Health Care Systems are also VHA members.VHA Inc. serves more than 1,400 not-for-profit hospitals nationwide.

“This award validates the dedicated focus of our clinical staff and physicians to provide excellent care to our cardiac patients,” said Heritage Hospital President Wick Baker. 

 "Timely and effective care for heart attack patients saves lives and health care dollars,” said Trent Haywood, M.D., J.D., chief medical officer at VHA.  “Heritage Hospital is a shining example of what can be achieved when a hospital's actions are guided by the pursuit of clinical excellence."

The VHA 2008 Leadership Award for clinical excellence in cardiac care is based on the latest set of measures that has been nationally accepted as indicators of quality.

“Our participation in VHA helps us achieve a higher level of performance both operationally and clinically, and we are pleased to receive recognition from VHA for our work in cardiac care,” said Baker.

    For heart attacks, best practice standards include:

•  Aspirin prescribed at time of patient’s arrival

•  Aspirin prescribed at time of patient’s discharge

•  ACE inhibitors or beta blocker administration for left ventricular systolic dysfunction

•  Adult smoking cessation advice/counseling provided to patient prior to discharge

•  Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient’s arrival

•  Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient’s discharge

•  Amount of time until thrombolysis administered