East Jefferson General Hospital Recognized for Excellence With ACC Transcatheter Valve Certification

New Orleans — East Jefferson General Hospital is excited to announce that the American College of Cardiology has recognized the hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients receiving transcatheter valve repair and replacement (TAVR) procedures. East Jefferson General Hospital was awarded Transcatheter Valve Certification based on evaluation of the staff’s ability to meet standards for multidisciplinary teams, formalized training, shared decision-making, and quality performance.

The ACC’s Transcatheter Valve Certification is an external review and certification process that pairs with established national clinical databases to monitor patient safety and real-world outcomes related to TAVR therapies. Participation in established national clinical databases such as the STS/ACC TVT Registry is required for hospitals interested in achieving this certification.

“East Jefferson General Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing their community with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award East Jefferson General Hospital with Transcatheter Valve Certification.”

The certification uses established national clinical measures to support clinical decisions and links process improvement to patient outcomes. Hospitals that achieve Transcatheter Valve Certification learn best practices for implementing evidence-based medicine to support patient-centered decision-making and can track key performance metrics to better identify opportunities for improvement.

Pedro Cox, MD, Director of the LCMC Structural Heart Program, says the ACC Certification reflects East Jefferson General Hospital’s commitment to delivering the highest level of care to patients across Louisiana.

“I am proud of the teamwork and dedication that has led to our excellent outcomes and this level of recognition from the American College of Cardiology, said Dr. Pedro Cox, Director of LCMC Health’s Structural Heart Program and assistant professor, LSU Cardiology. “It’s fantastic to see it recognized as the first TAVR center of excellence in the Greater New Orleans Area. We are grateful to our patients for entrusting their heart valve care to our team and are committed to providing exceptional care without exception. Our guiding principle is to deliver the right care in the right place at the right time while promoting shared decision making.”

If you have been told you have a heart murmur and have symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, passing out, or worsening fatigue, please talk to your doctor right away.