JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman Health System is one of only 240 hospitals nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiology NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2022. The award recognizes Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. 

“We’re honored to receive the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for the second year in a row,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “It’s an impressive accomplishment for our heart care team, and it reflects the dedication, commitment and clinical excellence of our cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, nurses, technicians and support staff. It's gratifying to see their efforts recognized by the American College of Cardiology.”

To receive the award, Freeman demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain – MI Registry for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) and performed at the highest level for specific performance measures as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. 

“The staff at Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute, including all the physicians, nurses and techs, are honored by our award,” said Dr. John Cox, Freeman Interventional Cardiologist. “It is confirmation that our goal of emulating best practices and treating everyone as we would treat our own family creates outcomes that are some of the nation’s best. We continue to strive for cutting edge and compassionate care.”

Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process, using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to heart attack patients.

“It is an honor to award Freeman with the Platinum Performance Award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” said Michael C. Kontos, MD, FACC, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, and cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. “The receipt of this award indicates that Freeman remains committed to providing top quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients. Their success ensures patients are receiving the highest quality cardiovascular care.”

“We’re grateful to have a first-rate care team at Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute,” said Baker. “We look forward to their continued success in saving lives through rapid and sophisticated cardiac intervention.”

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that over 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.