INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care: INTEGRIS Artificial Heart Program Awarded Certification from the Joint Commission

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INTEGRIS Artificial Heart Program Awarded Certification from the Joint Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY - The INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care Program at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center is recognized by The Joint Commission as a qualified center to treat heart failure patients using Destination Therapy devices.

Unlike temporary bridge-to-transplant mechanisms that support a patient until transplantation, these more permanent devices are designed to assist a patient’s natural heart for the rest of his or her life. “We can now treat patients with Ventricular Assist Devices regardless of their need for short or long term therapy,” says Karl Nelson, RN, clinical director of the program. “Without time barriers we can treat all patients with mechanical circulatory support.”

Mechanical Circulatory Support was once pioneered as temporary support for patients who were awaiting a heart transplant. Patients may now receive a permanent device when transplantation is not an option. The INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care Program is only the fifteenth program in the United States to achieve this very specialized certification.

“The Advanced Cardiac Care team at INTEGRIS voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the safety and quality of care we provide,” says Stanley Hupfeld, president and chief executive officer of INTEGRIS Health. “We’re proud to achieve this recognition.”

To earn this distinction, the program underwent an extensive, unannounced, on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

“This certification is a huge step in the acknowledgement of the great work being done by many at the INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care program,” says James Long, M.D., PhD. director of the VAD program. “Our strong sense of teamwork will strengthen our focus on patient care while helping to advance heart care technology.”

The program received several accolades from the auditor performing the evaluation, including the consistent use of clinical guidelines, “very organized” performance measures, and a great staff dedicated to the VAD program.

“While we truly appreciate the kudos, we know that this is not a time to be complacent,” says Dr. Doug Horstmanshof, cardiology director of the Advanced Cardiac Care Program. “Our team of physicians and clinicians will continue to make improvements and advancements in the hopes that we can keep providing the best care possible for our patients.”

INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care
3400 N.W. Expressway
Building C. Ste. 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Phone and after hours
(405) 713-7040

Advanced Cardiac Care is a division of the Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute.