The OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center Hypertension Center has been awarded the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Practice Center Certification. The certification recognizes the center’s commitment to following research-based-treatment guidelines to care for people with complex or difficult-to-treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Certified practices must be primarily devoted to patients with high blood pressure and related disorders, be recognized as referral and treatment resources for resistant and secondary hypertension and have facilities and personnel capable of assessing and evaluating complicated problems related to high blood pressure. Certified centers are recognized as leaders in providing the most up-to-date effective treatment strategies based on current evidence-based research.
OSF Saint Francis underwent several reviews by American Heart Association quality improvement specialists who evaluated the center’s policies, procedures and operations to ensure appropriate diagnosis, evaluation and treatment protocols were in place and executed for patients with high blood pressure.
To signify their exemplary efforts, OSF Saint Francis will display the official American Heart Association Hypertension Practice Center Certification mark.
“OSF Saint Francis Medical Center is thoroughly committed to providing our patients the highest quality hypertension care centered in current scientific research,” said Robert Sparrow, MD, chief medical officer at OSF Saint Francis. “The American Heart Association’s Hypertension Practice Center Certification has highlighted our accomplishments and is recognition of our commitment to continually work to improve the overall treatment and care for our patients with hypertension.”
Through this certification program, the American Heart Association aims to improve the outcomes of people with complex or difficult-to-treat hypertension through collaboration with medical practices to implement evidence-based treatment guidelines.
The overall goals for a certified center encompass patients, providers and research and training opportunities through an evaluation of the practice against a professional set of criteria based on demonstrated adherence to key standards and rigorous review process.
For more information on the American Heart Association accreditation and certification programs, visit: www.heart.org/certification.