PRMC Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs Receive Recertification

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The Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute at Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) is proud to announce the recertification of its cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).  Both programs and their leadership were recognized for a fifth consecutive, three-year cycle for their commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care.

PRMC’s cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee and Certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

“Recertification reflects that our program meets national standards to ensure quality care, consistency in the delivery of services, evidence of tracking clinical outcomes and program operational standards in compliance with AACVPR Program Guidelines, JCAHO and Medicare regulations,” said Pamela Caldwell, RN, BSN, Director of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Preventive Cardiology at PRMC.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, like those at PRMC, are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory symptoms) recover faster and improve their quality of life.  Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

The cardiovascular & pulmonary rehabilitation programs at Peninsula Regional Medical Center were founded in 1986 and are the largest and most comprehensive programs in the Mid-Atlantic region, providing services to patients at the Medical Center and at a second location in Berlin, Maryland (soon to relocate to the new Delmarva Health Pavilion Ocean Pines on October 19).  Over its 29-year history, it has assisted hundreds of thousands of cardiac and pulmonary patients with their recoveries.