American Heart Association Certified Care

AHA HF LogoThe overarching goals of the American Heart Association Skilled Nursing Facility Heart Failure certification is focused on standardizing heart failure patient care and is designed to evaluate each skilled nursing facility against a professional set of criteria based on demonstrated adherence to key standards and a rigorous review process.

The program goals:  

  • Ensure evidence-based heart failure guidelines are driving decision making at all levels of care represented in the skilled nursing facility. 
  • Provide guidance and leadership on measurably improving care coordination and communication between and among care providers. 
  • Demonstrate that high levels of compliance result in measurable improvements in clinical quality of care and cost effectiveness.
  • Benefits patients, partners and staff through an increased focus on heart failure care and tailored patient and staff education.

Benefits for Patients: 

  • AHA HF LogoProvide patients with access to centers focused on treating heart failure and its comorbidities 
  • Provide patients with confidence that the centers can provide the most effective heart failure treatment strategies 
  • Provide patients with assurance that the center has been vetted and is recognized by the American Heart Association, based on professional evaluation criteria designed by heart failure expert
  • Heart Failure Certified staff who have monthly HF focused continuing education
  • Increased  education on managing their heart failure - including daily management, diet,  Medication management  & Smoking Cessation.  
  • Increased Care coordination across care settings

Benefits for Acute Partners/Payors:  

  • AHA HF LogoImproves coordination and communication between the Hospital and SNF(s), in turn improving care transition and outcomes
  • Partners can have confidence that the SNF(s) have been highly vetted by AHA experts
  • Increased care coordination with acute care team, medical providers & post acute team including the SNF and HHA, DME suppliers and essential post acute professionals that contribute to the well being and continuity of care of the heart failure patient
  • Improved readmission rates which leads to an overall lower cost of care
  • Enhanced patient experience through improved care transitions and collaboration
  • Aligns with AHA hospital program to address quality care of the HF patient in acute care :  "Get with the Guidelines"
  • Confidence of certification built on the Association's science and guidelines
AHA HF Logo

What does it mean to be AHA Heart Failure Program Certified? 

The Heart Failure (HF) program is managed under a structured oversight model that includes a designated Program Champion and an Interprofessional Committee (IPC). This committee is composed of representatives from various disciplines involved in the care of heart failure patients and convenes monthly to support program development, implementation, and ongoing quality improvement.

 

 

Clinical Assessments

  • Assessment timing requirements for nursing, therapy and medical staff to ensure an accelerated plan of care to address immediate concerns.

Ongoing HF Monitoring Includes:

  • Specialized weekly interdisciplinary rounding on patients with heart failure
  • Increased checks of vital signs, weight, and fluid balance 
  • Targeted nursing interventions and communication 
  • Nutritional guidance (sodium/fluid restrictions)
  • Self-care and medication management education
  • Therapy evaluations as needed
  • Support for palliative/hospice care as needed
  • Psychosocial screening (e.g., depression)

Education & Support AHA HF Logo

  • All staff participate in an initial specialized comprehensive training focused on the cardiovascular system and heart failure
  • Then, ongoing heart failure education is provided monthly on important topics related to the care of the heart failure patient.

Patient & Caregiver Education & Support

Education starts at admission and continues throughout the patient’s stay,  and may include:

  • Recognizing signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure (e.g., Heart Failure Zones, Symptom Tracker)
  • Weight Monitoring
  • Dietary guidelines
  • Medication management and addressing access barriers (e.g., transportation)
  • Encouraging physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits (e.g., diet, immunizations, smoking cessation)
  • Promoting self-care and understanding care goals

Before Discharge from Post-Acute Facility

  • Education plan is reinforced ensuring concepts and needs have been adequately addressed
  • Discharge transition plan is established and reviewed with the patient 

Post-Discharge Follow-Up Call (Within 48–72 Hours)

  • Ensures no new need arose since discharge and provides opportunity for additional support through the early stages of transition to the next level of care

Performance Improvement & Accountability 

  • The program tracks and improves HF care via QAPI or the HF Interprofessional Committee where they:
    • Identify gaps
    • Implement education plans
    • Measure effectiveness
    • Communicate updates to frontline staff

Our Locations with Heart Failure Certification

Delaware

Maryland

Maine

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Vermont

West Virginia

 

Dr. David Fridman, National Cardiologist GHC