Why Pursue Advanced Certification in Heart Failure (ACHF)?

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Brooke Galway

Senior Project Manager

ACHF Certification from The Joint Commission, offered in collaboration with the American Heart Association, provides comprehensive guidance to develop and enhance an exceptional Heart Failure Program. Here’s why pursuing this certification is beneficial:

Benefits of Certification

(Source: The Joint Commission)

  • Demonstrate Commitment: Show your dedication to maintaining a high standard of service.
  • Improve Patient Outcomes: Utilize a proven framework to enhance patient care.
  • Team Organization: Streamline operations across the continuum of care.
  • Competitive Edge: Stand out in the healthcare market.
  • Recruitment & Development: Attract and nurture top healthcare talent.
  • Third-Party Recognition: Gain acknowledgment from insurers and other entities.

Key Elements of the Program

(Source: The Joint Commission)

  • Comprehensive Standards: Incorporate core Disease-Specific Care standards with additional expectations for transitions of care.
  • Clinical Practice Guidelines: Implement heart failure clinical practice guidelines.
  • Quality Improvement Program: Participate in the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure program.
  • Standardized Measures: Follow established performance measures.
  • Integrated Care: Certification covers inpatient programs and requires either a hospital-owned heart failure clinic or a formal arrangement with cardiology practices for follow-up care.

Recognition Opportunities

(Source: American Heart Association)

  • Quality Achievement Certificate: Receive official recognition for your high standards.
  • International Stroke Conference: Be celebrated at a major annual event for award-winning hospitals.
  • U.S. News & World Report: Get listed in the prestigious “Best Hospitals” issue.
  • Additional Events: Participate in other recognition events and advertisements as determined by the AHA/ASA.

Participation in Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure is a requirement for achieving ACHF. It offers numerous benefits, including significant patient outcome improvements, reductions in 30-day readmissions (a measure used by CMS for reimbursement rates), and access to clinical tools and educational resources.

How Registry Partners Can Help

At Registry Partners, we support all aspects of the Advanced Certification in Heart Failure (ACHF) journey. Whether you are seeking initial certification or progressing with recertification, we offer comprehensive assistance. Our expert team of clinical data abstractors ensures accurate, efficient, and complete data abstraction, following the latest guidelines for quality reporting and performance improvement. We also provide full registry management, including data submission, validation, analysis, and reporting of ACHF metrics/measures. Learn more about our consulting services.

Get Started Today

Our consultants are ready to work with you, assess your needs, and help you achieve your goals. Together, we can enhance your Heart Failure Program and achieve the recognition your organization deserves.

Resources:

  1. The Joint Commission – Advanced Heart Failure Certification
  2. American Heart Association – Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Overview