POTTSTOWN PA – Three Tower Health-owned hospitals have received awards from the American Heart Association, the health care system said.
Pottstown, Phoenixville, and Reading hospitals all were recognized, Tower Health reported Monday (July 10, 2023). The association said each demonstrated their “heart failure patients have access to best practices and life-saving care.” It presented them with “Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Awards.” The hospitals also were honored for reducing patient re-admission rates.
Tower Health said the hospitals recently implemented a risk stratification tool in each emergency department. It helps identify patients who may need to be admitted for additional care and treatment. That group is potentially considered at higher risk for mortality or possible future re-admissions. The tool also helps identify emergency department patients eligible for discharge.
About 6 million U.S. adults are living with heart failure, the association claimed. That number is expected to increase to more than 8 million by 2030.
Despite the label, heart failure doesn’t mean the heart has stopped working, but is having difficulty pumping blood and oxygen. There is no cure, yet, for heart failure. However, the association indicated patients can still live a quality life. It suggested working with providers on plans that may include medication, symptom monitoring, and lifestyle changes.
The award is earned by hospitals which prove they treat patients according to the association’s most up-to-date guidelines.
“The health of the individuals in our community is the top priority for the team members at Tower Health,” President and CEO P. Sue Perrotty said. “Awards and recognitions such as these demonstrate our continuous efforts to share best practices across our hospitals. Each day we are grateful our patients have chosen us for their care. We hope to get them home to their friends and family as soon as possible.”
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