UPMC hospitals in Central Pa. earn awards for heart attack treatment

Five UPMC hospitals in central Pennsylvania have received top honors from the American College of Cardiology for treating heart attacks. 

UPMC Hanover, UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Memorial and UPMC West Shore received the NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2024 and are among only 259 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor, UPMC in Central Pa. Said in a release.  

UPMC Carlisle has received the Silver Performance Achievement Award, one of only 80 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor. 

“This award recognizes UPMC’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for our heart attack patients”, said Michael Bosak, M.D., chair, Cardiovascular Services, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa. “Our entire team is committed to meet the needs of our patients through our experienced and highly skilled multidisciplinary team.” 

The award signifies that the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa. has reached a goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations, the health system said. 

To receive the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award, the hospitals have demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain ̶   MI Registry for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) and performed at the highest level for specific performance measures, UPMC in Central Pa. said.  

UPMC Carlisle has demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain ̶   MI Registry for four consecutive quarters during 2023 and performed with distinction in specific performance measures to receive the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Silver Performance Achievement Award, UPMC in Central Pa. said. 

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that over 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year.  

“We are honored to receive the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum and Silver Performance Achievement Awards again in 2024,” said David Gibbons, senior vice president, Health Services Division and regional president, UPMC in Central Pa. “Our team is committed to providing only the best world-class care to patients. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and excellence of our cardiologists, nurses, and technicians.” 

 Chest Pain ̶  MI Registry empowers health care provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines and establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients, UPMC in Central Pa. said. 

 “It is an honor to award UPMC Hanover, UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Memorial UPMC West Shore and UPMC Carlisle with the Platinum and Silver Performance Award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” said Dr. Michael C. Kontos, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, and cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. “The receipt of this award indicates that UPMC remains committed to providing top quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients. Their success ensures patients are receiving the highest quality cardiovascular care.”