Congenital heart disease is a birth defect that affects one out of every 100 babies. However, thanks to advancements in medicine, those who suffer from congenital heart disease are living longer than ever before. There are now 1.4 million adults in the U.S. living with congenital heart disease.
One institution that has displayed comprehensive expertise in serving those who suffer from congenital heart disease is Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital in Spokane, as the medical center recently became one of only 17 in the country to be accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA).
The program received accreditation by meeting ACHA’s criteria, which included medical services and personnel requirements, and going through a rigorous accreditation process. Both were the result of collaboration with doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and patients. Accreditation elevates the standard of care and has a positive impact on the futures of those living with this disease, according to the ACHA.
“This is an extensive accreditation process that clearly spotlights the comprehensive services available within the Providence Adult and Teen Congenital Heart Program,” says Dr. Jeremy Nicolarsen, director of the Providence Adult and Teen Congenital Heart Program. “This includes not only the specially trained pediatric and adult cardiologists, but the multiple sub-specialists, technology and wrap-around services that allow us to provide the highest level of care to patients of every age.”
Read more from Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. (Tim Pfarr)
