August 7, 2015, Morristown, Summit, NJ – For the fourth consecutive year, Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center, both part of Atlantic Health System, have been recognized with the American College of Cardiology’s prestigious ACTION Registry-Get with the Guidelines (GWTG) Platinum Performance Award for 2015.
The Platinum Performance Award, given this year to only 315 hospitals in the country, is the highest award for this registry. Last year, Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center were the only two hospitals in New Jersey to reach this level of performance.
“Participation in the ACTION Registry helps hospitals track whether or not they are providing treatment using the most current, science-based guidelines for patients that come to the hospital with heart attacks,” said Linda D. Gillam, MD, Chair, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Medical Center. “We are pleased to again be recognized with the Platinum Performance Award, showcasing that we are indeed providing optimal, science-based care.”
“This award reflects the commitment of each member of the cardiovascular team, from professionalism, patient-centered care to quality outcomes,” said Michael Weinrauch, MD, chair, cardiovascular services, Overlook Medical Center.
The award is given to medical centers that demonstrate sustained achievement of performance measures in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction patients through the implementation of ACTION Registry-GWTG and application of American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Clinical Guideline Recommendations.
To receive this award, Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center have consistently followed the treatment guidelines outlined in the registry for eight consecutive quarters, and have met performance standards of 90 percent for certain quality measures. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling, and others.
The ACTION Registry is an outcomes-based quality improvement program that focuses exclusively on high-risk STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, a type of severe heart attack)/NSTEMI (not-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, a less severe heart attack) patients. It helps hospitals apply ACC/AHA clinical guideline recommendations in their facilities and provides tools to measure care and achieve quality improvement goals.
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About Morristown Medical Center
Morristown Medical Center, located in Morristown, NJ, is part of Atlantic Health System, one of the largest non-profit health care systems in New Jersey, which also includes Overlook Medical Center in Summit, Newton Medical Center, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains and Goryeb Children’s Hospital. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Morristown Medical Center was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top hospital nationwide for cardiology & heart surgery, geriatrics, orthopedics and pulmonology. Morristown Medical Center also ranked as a “Best Regional Hospital” for gastroenterology & GI surgery, gynecology, nephrology, neurology & neurosurgery, and urology. The Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Medical Center encompasses the largest cardiovascular program in New Jersey, performing more than 1,500 heart surgeries annually, more than any other cardiovascular facility in the state. Morristown Medical Center is verified as a Level I Regional Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and designated a Level II by the state of New Jersey and was re-designated a Magnet Hospital for Excellence in Nursing Service, the highest level of recognition by American Nurses Credentialing Center for facilities that provide acute care services, a distinction awarded to less than five percent of U.S. hospitals. Learn more >
About Overlook Medical Center
As the premier center for neuroscience and brain care in New Jersey, Overlook Medical Center has amassed the largest team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscience specialists in the state. Overlook Medical Center is a Joint Commission Spine Center of Excellence and certified by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Overlook is designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a Level IV Epilepsy Center with the only magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology in New Jersey installed for functional brain mapping and clinical evaluation. The hospital’s Brain Tumor Center of New Jersey conducts vaccine trials, awake brain surgery, and stereotactic radiosurgery with the CyberKnife®, in addition to many other highly technical and advanced services. Concussion care and rehabilitation, pain management, spine and neck care, as well as dedicated research and care for memory disorders, dementia and movement disorders, are comprehensive services available at Overlook Medical Center. U.S. News & World Report recognizes Overlook Medical Center among the best hospitals in central New Jersey and as a “Best Regional Hospital” for neurology & neurosurgery. Learn more >