By KELLY WILSON

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

The Blessing Heart and Vascular Center is one of 112 heart programs in the nation recognized by the American Heart Association in an advertisement in an issue of U.S. News and World Report.

The hospital was honored with the organization's Gold Award for two or more years of sustained performance in meeting "Get With the Guidelines" heart care standards.

Blessing is listed alongside renowned hospitals such as Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Hospital.

"This accomplishment reflects a huge win for Blessing's dedicated Heart and Vascular team," said Sheree Schroeder administrative director of the Blessing Heart and Vascular Center. "The AHA Gold Award is also a positive reflection on the organization as a whole, due to the total team support needed to achieve this gold level performance."

Get With the Guidelines is a quality-improvement program that helps hospitals ensure patients consistently receive cardiac care in accordance with the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations.

"We follow the evidence-based guidelines, and not only do we meet them, we exceed them," Schroeder said.

Get With the Guidelines provides evidence-based treatment guidelines for coronary artery disease, stroke and heart failure. Blessing was recognized for its care of patients with coronary artery disease.

A hospital is recognized with the Gold Award if at least 85 percent of its cardiac patients are treated and discharged according to the guidelines and recommendations. Blessing has met the target for two consecutive years.

"Meeting these national heart care standards requires commitment," said Dr. Robert Merrick, medical director for Quality Management at Blessing. "On any given day, any number of physicians provides heart care at Blessing. Each doctor brings a slightly different background and experience, and philosophy of care to their practice. Yet, they act as one when it comes to implementing the AHA's guidelines and providing the best, nationally recognized heart care to Blessing Hospital patients."

The American Heart Association's advertisement was in the July 21 issue of U.S. News and World Report.

-- kwilson@whig.com/221-3391