Saint Joseph`s Receives Rare Certification to Save Urgent Heart Failure Patients

Written by Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta

Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta is proud to announce the Joint Commission has designated its Heart Failure Center a Certified Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) program, making it one of only two hospitals in Georgia authorized to perform destination surgeries. This Joint Commission certification allows Saint Joseph's cardiologists to implant VADs in heart failure patients who do not qualify for a donor heart and would otherwise die from heart failure complications. The announcement comes just after Former Vice President Dick Cheney elected to undergo this type of surgery for a destination left-ventricular assist device (LVAD).

This amazing technology and alternative allows people with failing hearts to live decades on a machine. To earn the Disease-Specific Care Certification for VAD the Joint Commission conducted an extensive, on-site evaluation of Saint Joseph's VAD program which includes: an in-depth review of its processes, an evaluation of the organizations commitment to quality care, and interviews with patients and staff. "Saint Joseph's Hospital sought this voluntary certification from the Joint Commission because it is committed to providing the safest and highest quality care to its patients" said John B. O'Connell, MD, Executive Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Saint Joseph's. "I am proud to be associated with a hospital and program that continually strives to improve care. Pursuing this certification proves Saint Joseph's does just that."

A Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) is a mechanical pump that supports blood flow and heart function in patients who have weakened hearts. Until now, Saint Joseph's physicians have been implanting VADs as a "bridge to transplant" in patients who were awaiting a heart transplant. This certification allows Saint Joseph's physicians to place VADs in patients as a permanent solution to their severe heart failure. This permanent therapy, also known as "destination therapy" is used for patients who have end-stage heart failure who are not eligible for heart transplantation due to multiple medical problems, age or other complications. This certification allows access to new device technology at its earliest availability. "It is wonderful to be able to offer this alternative therapy to patients with end-stage heart failure who until now had no options" says Dr. Jeff Miller a Saint Joseph's Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Surgical Director of the Heart Transplantation program. "The development and use of state-of-the art technologies has been a cornerstone of our surgery program at Saint Joseph's and achieving this certification adds to our reputation as a one of the country's preeminent heart surgery programs."

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880, Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta is now a 410-bed, acute-care hospital recognized as one of the leading specialty-referral hospitals in the Southeast. Saint Joseph's is the region's premier provider of cardiac, vascular oncology and orthopaedic services and home to the most comprehensive minimally invasive robotic surgery program in the world. Saint Joseph's is one of the 50 top hospitals and one of the few hospitals in the world to receive Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence. Saint Joseph's medical staff is comprised of over 750 physicians. Saint Joseph's Health System is based in Atlanta and has several subsidiaries including indigent care services, employed physician group, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Greensboro, GA, and research facilities. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph's is a member of Catholic Health East. For more information, please visit www.saintjosephsatlanta.org.