Merit Health Wesley is Nationally Recognized for Its Commitment to Providing High-quality Heart Failure Care

7/26/2024

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure Gold Plus award for proven dedication to ensuring all heart failure patients have access to best practices and life-saving care 

HATTIESBURG, MS, July 29, 2024 — Merit Health Wesley has received the American Heart Association’s  Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart failure, meaning reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home.

About 6 million U.S. adults are living with heart failure (HF), a number that is expected to increase to more than 8 million by 2030. Despite the name, HF doesn’t mean that the heart has stopped working – it means the heart is having a hard time pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. While there’s no cure for HF, patients can live a quality life by working with their health care team to create and stick with a plan that may include medication, symptom monitoring and lifestyle changes.

The Get With The Guidelines - Heart Failure quality achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. The program aims to increasing healthy days at home and reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.

“Merit Health Wesley is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for both heart attacks and strokes,” said Travis Sisson, Merit Health Wesley CEO. “I am proud of our team's dedication to ensuring all heart and stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care."

Each year, program participants qualify for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for HF patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their HF at home. 

Merit Health Wesley is also recognized on the American Heart Association’s Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll. Hospitals on the Honor Roll meet specific criteria that improve medication adherence, provide early follow-up care and coordination, and enhance patient education. The goal is to further reduce hospital readmissions and help patients improve their quality of life in managing this chronic condition. 

Merit Health Wesley additionally received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll™ award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to heart disease or stroke.

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