Recognized for its award-winning cardiac care, Saint Mary’s Hospital is committed to providing our patients with exceptional clinical quality and service. Our physicians, nurses and quality improvement professionals have been recognized three years in a row by the American Heart Association – a national leader in the fight against heart disease – for excellence in patient care. But there’s more to our story.

Our awards and accomplishments include:

• Saint Mary’s has achieved 100% compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Core Measures for treating heart attack patients.

• Saint Mary’s is achieving door-to-balloon times of under 90 minutes for 100% of our patients, with a median time of 60 minutes.

• Saint Mary’s is one of the select few hospitals in Connecticut to receive multiple American Heart Association Gold Awards for outstanding care of patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure.

 The Gold Standard in Cardiac Care

New in 2011: The American Heart Association presented Saint Mary’s Hospital with a Gold Performance Achievement Award for providing outstanding care to heart failure patients – for the second year in a row!

This recognition signifies that Saint Mary’s is following national guidelines and procedures established by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology for the care of heart failure patients, with the goal of preventing future hospitalizations.

Overall, the American Heart Association has recognized Saint Mary’s as a three-time Gold Award winner for cardiac care. In 2009, Saint Mary’s received the Gold Award for its outstanding treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. Saint Mary’s received additional Gold Awards in 2010 and 2011 for providing outstanding care for patients with heart failure.

 “Saint Mary’s winning performance under Get With The Guidelines demonstrates our commitment to quality care,” said cardiologist Dr. Paul Kelly. “It’s a difference that shows in the lives of our patients and their families, and in the satisfaction felt by our caregivers who are empowered to do their best.”

The American Heart Association recognized Saint Mary’s newest achievement by listing the hospital among its 2011 award winners in an advertisement published in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” issue.

Under the Get With The Guidelines program, heart failure patients are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, diuretics and anticoagulants in the hospital. They also receive counseling for alcohol and drug use and thyroid management, as well as referrals for cardiac rehabilitation before being discharged. Saint Mary's has successfully implemented these quality measures in compliance with the national standards of care.