Cardiac Rehabilitation Week

This is national Cardiac Rehabilitation week. I would like to thank the AACVPR and all the Cardiac Rehabilitation programs out there for the tremendous amount of work that goes in to providing the highest standards of care. The cardiac rehabilitation staff work tirelessly to  coordinate care, provide  education, advocate for their patients, do research, provide legislative support to ensure patients receive these benefits. Many of these activities are done on a volunteer basis, as hospitals do not have the funding to encourage the staff to participate in such work.

Take the time to go back and say thank you to the Cardiac Rehabilitation staff you worked with. Tell them how they made a difference in your life. Do you  have more confidence in controlling your heart disease risk factors?  Do you have more energy?  Do you feel safe with activity? Do you have a better understanding of your medications how they work and how to take them? Does your family cope better with your disease process?  Do you have a support system? Most likely the cardiac rehabilitation staff made it so. Take the time to let them know they made a difference.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Week 2013  February 10-16, 2013    Celebrate National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week and draw attention to the role of cardiac rehabilitation in reducing the potentially devastating effects of heart disease.  The week is also a great opportunity to recognize your team members for their contributions. Cardiac Rehabilitation Week was initiated by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) to focus national attention on cardiac rehabilitation’s contribution to the improvement of the health and physical performance of individuals at risk for heart disease and/or those individuals diagnosed with heart disease or dysfunction.

Certified  CR program hold the  highest industry standards.
In honor of National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week,  learn what the only peer-reviewed accreditation for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs does to improve patient care and what facilities are certified. AACVPR Program Certification is built on proven best practices so that programs  can hold themselves to the highest industry standard.

One program’s success story:
The Henry Ford Macomb Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Clinton Township, Michigan, attained AACVPR Certification this past year. The application process itself proved to be a unique team-building exercise. It united everyone to focus on a common goal, provided clarity into processes, and identified room for improvement.

The Henry Ford Macomb Program has also reported increased patient referrals since attaining AACVPR Certification and has built a stronger relationship with referring physicians, hospital administration and the community as a whole. The staff at Henry Ford Macomb takes great pride in knowing that their program is certified and up to date with appropriate safety, quality, and outcome measures.

“AACVPR Certification is an industry standard that our physician and patient community respect.”

Donna Donakowski, BS, CES, FAACVPR
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Supervisor, Cardiac Rehabilitation
Henry Ford Macomb Hospital

Cardiac Rehabilitation programs often host a risk factor screening, health fair, open house, or seminars to share information on the heart, cardiovascular health, fitness, and related rehabilitation topics beyond providing the day to day rehabilitation services.

Thank you!