DALLAS, June 11, 2018 — A portfolio of joint programs that support a high standard of cardiovascular care for hospitals will help ensure patients have access to the most evidence-based care available. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and The Joint Commission, the nation’s largest independent healthcare evaluation organization, are joining forces to provide an unprecedented focus on enhancing cardiovascular patient care through a range of innovative disease-specific hospital certifications while improving outcomes for those hospitalized with cardiovascular conditions, the number one cause of death in the United States.

The Association and The Joint Commission seek to bring the combined strength and foundation of their 15-year relationship in stroke certification to in-hospital cardiovascular patient care, leveraging the Association’s leading edge in cardiovascular science, research and quality improvement with The Joint Commission’s expertise in working with healthcare organizations to identify and correct any deficiencies in standards compliance as quickly and sustainably as possible. Together, the organizations will focus on certifying cardiac centers across the country, leveraging their past successes in stroke care certification. This expansion will help provide consistent quality patient care for hospitals with a wide range of capabilities to help to ensure patients receive the right care from the right facility at the right time.

“The American Heart Association is a trusted resource that is changing systems to elevate the quality of care that hospitals deliver,” says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “Together with The Joint Commission, we are positively impacting the cardiovascular health of the populations that hospitals serve.” 

The American Heart Association and The Joint Commission share the goal of creating co-branded cardiovascular hospital certification programs that translate the latest evidence-based science to the bedside quickly and efficiently to help save more lives and improve patients’ quality of life. This approach will reduce duplication and confusion and consolidate certification options available to hospitals.

“The expanded collaboration between the American Heart Association and The Joint Commission will allow us to help a greater number of hospitals across the country to provide safe, high-quality and appropriate timely care to cardiovascular patients,” says Mark R. Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH, president and CEO, The Joint Commission. “We encourage and support these healthcare organizations on their quality improvement journey to reduce harm and improve the quality and safety of cardiovascular care.”

For more information about this expanded collaboration, please e-mail accreditation@heart.org or certification@jointcommission.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke — the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit StrokeAssociation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the Association's science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at http://www.jointcommission.org/.

For Media Inquiries:

Tracie Bertaut, APR: 504-722-1695, Tracie.Bertaut@heart.org

Katie Looze Bronk: 630-792-5175, KBronk@jointcommission.org

For Public Inquiries: 800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and strokeassociation.org