Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 05, 2026
AHA Recognizes Over 3,000 Hospitals for Heart Care Excellence
TLDR
- More than 3,000 hospitals recognized by AHA's Get With The Guidelines gain a competitive edge in cardiovascular care quality.
- Get With The Guidelines applies evidence-based science to ensure timely, consistent care, with awards from Bronze to Gold Plus based on performance.
- AHA's recognition of over 3,000 organizations improves survival and quality of life for millions affected by heart disease and stroke.
- New Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll recognizes 41 organizations for improving detection of a common heart valve disease.
Impact - Why it Matters
This recognition matters because it highlights the critical role of evidence-based, coordinated care in combating cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. For patients, it means that hospitals and EMS agencies are being held to high standards, leading to better survival rates, quicker recoveries, and fewer readmissions. The introduction of the Target: Aortic Stenosis award addresses an underdiagnosed condition, potentially saving lives among older adults. By promoting adherence to guidelines, these programs drive continuous improvement in health care quality, ultimately benefiting communities nationwide.
Summary
The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized over 3,000 health care organizations across the United States for their commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart disease, stroke, and related conditions through its Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement programs. These programs help health care teams apply the latest evidence-based science to treatment decisions, ensuring timely and consistent care aligned with proven standards. Awards are given in areas such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, cardiac arrest, Type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, with recognition levels from Bronze to Gold Plus. This year, 222 hospitals received the 'Commitment to Quality' award, up from 158 in its inaugural year, highlighting high performance across at least three clinical areas. Karen Joynt-Maddox, M.D., MPH, volunteer chair of the AHA's Quality Oversight Committee, emphasized that these organizations are applying the latest science and strengthening systems of care to ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time.
In addition to the Get With The Guidelines awards, the AHA recognized 624 agencies with Mission: Lifeline® EMS awards for rapid, research-based care for severe heart attacks and strokes, and 47 sites received Mission: Lifeline Regional recognition for establishing coordinated systems of care. A new award this year is the Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll, which aims to improve detection and treatment of aortic stenosis, a condition affecting over 1.7 million Americans over 65. Forty-one organizations received this recognition, with Edwards Lifesciences as the national sponsor. The AHA's efforts underscore the importance of guideline-directed care in helping patients recover faster, reducing complications, and lowering readmission rates. The full list of recipients is available on U.S. News & World Report and the AHA's quality improvement website.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, AHA Recognizes Over 3,000 Hospitals for Heart Care Excellence
