St. Joseph’s Health has received the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award from the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for a demonstrated record of superior clinical outcomes resulting from evidence-based, guideline-directed degenerative mitral valve repair.
The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award was developed to identify, recognize and promote the nation’s recognized medical centers for mitral valve repair surgery. St. Joseph’s Health earned the award for demonstrating adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.
“We are honored to receive the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Award for a second consecutive year,” said physician Philip Falcone, chief medical officer at St. Joseph’s Health. “Our passion for achieving the best outcome for our patients is rooted in our belief that every beat matters. This prestigious award speaks to our unwavering commitment to quality care, further proving that St. Joseph’s Health is one of the foremost heart health systems in the country.”
The recommended treatment for degenerative mitral valve disease is mitral valve reconstruction, as opposed to valve replacement with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve, because valve repair is associated with improved survival and fewer long-term complications. Many patients who would benefit from repair receive replacement valves, with higher rates of death or complications within five years after surgery.
St. Joseph’s Health earned the award for meeting specific quality achievement measures at a set level for a designated period. Participating in this recognition program demonstrates adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.
“Receiving this recognition again is a testament to the skill and dedication of our entire cardiac surgery team,” said physician Charles Lutz, program director of cardiac surgery at St. Joseph’s Health. “The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Award is a highly selective award and it sets our cardiac surgery team apart from other hospitals in our region and across the country.”