Bristol Glen, UMC’s continuing care retirement community in Sussex County, New Jersey, has earned the Skilled Nursing Facility Heart Failure Certification offered by the American Heart Association®.
This certification provides an evidence-based framework for evaluating skilled nursing programs against the American Heart Association’s rigorous, science-based requirements for heart failure (HF) care. These standards focus on program management, education and support for individuals and their caregivers, care coordination, clinical management, and quality improvement.
“Participation in this certification benefits both the individual impacted by heart failure and the provider by standardizing evidence-based practices,” said Cory Woods, DNP, MHA, MSN, RN, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Quality Certification Business Management Committee[A1] . “When there are clear processes during every phase of care, people have the best opportunity for positive outcomes.”
Nearly 1 in 4 individuals with heart failure are readmitted within 30 days of discharge and approximately half are readmitted within six months – and about one quarter of readmissions may be preventable. This certification supports ongoing efforts to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and strengthen continuity of care.
“Seniors living with heart failure need high-quality, coordinated support that follows evidence-based guidelines and supports their recovery and overall well-being,” said Anna Burke, Executive Director of Bristol Glen. “At Bristol Glen, we are committed to delivering compassionate, innovative care that help residents achieve the best possible outcomes. The American Heart Association’s certification both strengthens our approach and recognizes the dedication of our team. We are honored to have our efforts acknowledged in this way.”
To be eligible for this certification, organizations must be in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and implement a heart failure program that uses a standardized method of delivering clinical care based on current evidence-based guidelines. Learn more about this certification and others at www.Heart.org/CertifiedCare.
