SUMMIT, NJ – AUGUST 2021 – Overlook Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehab at New Providence, part of Atlantic Health System was certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification is recognition of Overlook’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.
The certification is valid for three years. Overlook’s Cardiac Rehab at New Providence has received this certification eight consecutive times, starting in 2000.
“Cardiac rehabilitation is an essential phase in the continuum of a patient’s cardiac health,” said Elliott Stein, MD, medical director of the program. “Our goal is not only to help patients recover from a cardiac event and build back a strong, healthy heart, but also helping them to lead longer, heart-healthy lives.”
Cardiovascular rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, heart valve repairs, heart transplants and specific types of heart failure) recover faster and live healthier lives. This program includes exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.
Patients in Overlook’s physician-led Cardiac Rehabilitation program are exercised three times a week for 12 weeks by a care team that includes telemetry-certified registered nurses, exercise physiologists and registered dietitians.
Using carefully monitored exercise regimens and working with patients to guide them to better nutrition, the program seeks to reduce patients’ risks of heart disease and improve their quality of life.
"The key to our success is that we take an individualized approach with each patient," said Darlene Husch, the program's registered dietitian nutritionist. "We take the time to learn about our patients and devise care plans to reduce their modifiable risk factors and promote improved cardiac health. Our multidisciplinary approach to cardiac rehabilitation involves educating and supporting appropriate lifestyle changes, particularly through diet and exercise."
To earn accreditation, Overlook’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies. Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.
In 2018, AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measurements that represent more meaningful outcomes. Therefore, AACVPR-certified programs are leaders in the cardiovascular rehabilitation field because they offer the most advanced practices available and have proven track records of high-quality patient care.
About AACVPR
Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Learn more about AACVPR at www.AACVPR.org
About Atlantic Health System
Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of more than 18,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 11 counties and 4.9 million people. The not-for-profit system offers more than 400 sites of care, including seven hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Newton Medical Center in Newton NJ, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, and Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ.
Atlantic Medical Group, comprised of 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers, represents one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey and joins Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners as part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.
Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 16 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Anywhere Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.
Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of six regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability and is a founding member of the PIER Consortium – Partners in Innovation, Education, and Research – a streamlined clinical trial system that will expand access to groundbreaking research across five health systems in the region.
Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.