Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center is one of 277 hospitals in the United States that was recognized in the July 23, “Top 100 Hospitals” issue of US News & World Report for its performance achievement in cardiac and stroke patient care. Seven Rivers Regional was recognized in a three page promotion sponsored by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) for diligently implementing and adhering to its Get With the Guidelines SM (GWTG) program. >> Click to see recognition

The AHA/ASA’s GWTG program is a quality-improvement initiative that helps hospitals insure that patients consistently receive cardiac and stroke care in accordance with the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations. GWTG has three modules to help hospitals use evidence-based guidelines to treat patients with coronary artery disease, stroke and/or heart failure. Hospitals that continually meet or exceed the nationally accepted standards, or guidelines, improve their quality patient care by turning guidelines into lifelines.

Seven Rivers Regional earned a silver annual performance award in recognition of 12 consecutive months of optimal compliance to GWTG-Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) performance measures. SRRMC also received a bronze initial performance award for successful implementation of GWTG-Heart Failure (HF) and completing three consecutive months of optimal compliance as mandated by the AHA’s GWTG-HF performance measures.

“GWTG’s initiatives were established to improve quality of care and save lives, and it is quite an honor that the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association recognizes our contribution to quality cardiovascular care in the “Top 100 hospitals” issue of US News & World Report,” said Joyce Brancato, CEO of SRRMC. “It’s always nice when our efforts are acknowledged by important medical associations and leaders in the medical industry. I must admit that I am most excited about the results of our efforts and the impact GWTG has had on our patients and their families.  National recognition is wonderful, but a smile from a patient whose life was saved because of our commitment to consistently follow the most up-to-date recommendations for cardiac and stroke care truly fills my heart with pride,” Brancato added.

“Seven Rivers Regional has implemented and maintained the appropriate standards of performance in cardiac and stroke care for patients,” said Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer chairman for the national GWTG Steering Committee. “We are proud of SRRMC’s efforts for implementing these lifesaving treatments.”

 “We are dedicated to making our patient care for heart and stroke patients among the best in the country, and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s GWTG program is helping us accomplish that by making it easier for our professionals to improve the quality of care and long-term outcomes of our cardiac patients,” said Joyce Brancato, CEO of Seven Rivers Regional.

Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center is a 128-bed general, medical/surgical acute care facility that opened its doors in 1978 and serves the communities of Citrus, Levy and South Marion Counties. Seven Rivers Regional is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and is a Florida state designated Primary Stroke Center. The medical center is a participant with all three American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) programs and is recognized by AHA/ASA for its success in using GWTG-Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure in turning guidelines into lifelines. In addition, Seven Rivers Regional has joined the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 5 Million Lives Campaign, is a partner with Florida Medical Quality Assurance, Inc. on Medicare projects and has been honored as one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals (1999, 2001) and Top 100 Hospital for Stroke (2000). Seven Rivers Regional can be found on the World Wide Web at www.srrmc.com