The Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Heart & Vascular Center has a long history of pioneering breakthrough treatments and offering advanced surgical and minimally invasive procedures. Decades of experience, early adoption of state-of-the-art surgical techniques and innovative therapies allow the team to treat patients with all types of heart disease from across the country. Thanks to the extraordinary care provided, the Center recently received two honors.
Last month, the Center received The Joint Commission’s Comprehensive Cardiac Center (CCC) Certification. The Center is now one of 16 programs in the nation to be recognized for its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for cardiac patients. Barnes-Jewish Hospital demonstrated excellence in treating every type of heart issue throughout the process from the Emergency Department, Cardiac Cath Lab, Cardiac Diagnostic Lab, Cardiothoracic ICU, MRI and Cardiac Care Unit.
“It was an arduous process but one that was well worth the effort to continue to ensure the best and safest care is available to our patients,” says Gene Ridolfi, vice president of Patient Care Services and executive director of Heart and Vascular Services at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “Objective assessment and critiques help us to ensure we consistently deliver extraordinary care.”
In addition, Barnes-Jewish Hospital recently received the American Heart Association and Mitral Foundation’s Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award for the fourth consecutive year. The hospital was recognized for its “demonstrated record of superior clinical outcomes resulting from evidence-based, guideline-directed degenerative mitral valve repair,” by the Association.
The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award was developed to honor and promote the nation’s recognized medical centers for mitral valve repair surgery. Barnes-Jewish Hospital earned the award for demonstrating devotion to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.
“As leaders in treating valve disease for nearly 20 years, this designation is a testament to both the expertise of our region's most talented valve repair and replacement teams and to our ongoing commitment to advancing patient care,” says Dr. Ralph J. Damiano, Jr., the Washington University chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “We are extremely proud of our team, our excellent outcomes, and the opportunity to offer patients advanced heart care.”
More on the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Heart & Vascular Center can be found at www.barnesjewish.org/medical-services/heart-vascular.