The Joint Commission, the nation's leading health care standards-setting and accrediting organization, accredits hospitals as well as nursing homes and other health care organizations. Specially trained investigators assess whether these organizations meet set standards.

Wuesthoff Medical Center-Rockledge (WMCR) was the first hospital in Florida and second in the nation to receive a Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for coronary artery disease care. The Joint Commission has also awarded WMCR Disease-Specific Care Certification for their coronary artery disease (CAD) program.

This recognition demonstrates that Wuesthoff is following strict guidelines and standards developed by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association (AHA) to effectively manage and meet the unique and specialized needs of heart patients. Wuesthoff's thorough plan of treatment for these patients includes a continuum of care beginning with education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to improve patient recovery.

"Following these guidelines enables Wuesthoff to improve the quality of care it provides cardiac patients, reduce reoccurrences and most importantly, save lives," said Doreen Woods, vice president of Wuesthoff Quality and Resource Management. "This designation demonstrates our commitment to providing a higher standard of care for patients in our community. We are improving outcomes and helping people identify and decrease the devastating effects of heart disease."

WMCR earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review of the CAD program in May. The program was evaluated against The Joint Commission's standards through an assessment of the program's processes, the program's ability to evaluate and improve care within its organization and interviews with patients and staff. According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the number one killer of American males and females. The disease is also the leading cause of premature, permanent disability in the U.S. labor force, accounting for 19 percent of disability allowances by the Social Security Administration.