UMDNJ-University Hospital among top five academic medical centers for heart failure treatment

Patients treated at UMDNJ-University Hospital for heart failure receive some of the best care in the nation, according to newly released rankings. The data, from the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), place the hospital among the top five academic medical centers in the nation for treating heart failure patients with recommended care. This care was measured in the areas of discharge instructions, appropriate prescriptions of heart failure medications at discharge, evaluation of left heart function, and adult smoking cessation advice/counseling.

According to Vincent Barba, MD, FACP, FHM, Medical Director for Quality Improvement at UMDNJ-University Hospital and UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ-NJMS), UMDNJ-University Hospital ranked fourth out of 108 academic hospitals reporting to the UHC for the Heart Failure Core Measures. UHC, an association of 108 academic medical centers in the U.S., assists hospitals with enhancing their quality improvement methods.

The hospital's high ranking was earned for the period of October 2008-September 2009. This achievement was led by the UMDNJ-University Hospital's Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology; Cardiology nursing staff; and the Heart Failure Quality Improvement team.

"Both acute and chronic heart failure care represents one of the largest components of healthcare expenditures in the United States," said Marc Klapholz, MD, FACC, Chief of Cardiology, UMDNJ-University Hospital. "Developing team-based strategies that facilitate seamless transitions between the various venues of care have been the focus of our heart failure program. We are pleased not only at being able to ensure delivery of optimal care but also to demonstrate improved outcomes for our patients."

Dr. Barba concluded, "These rankings are reflective of our tireless commitment to providing outstanding patient care at UMDNJ-University Hospital."