SLCH Celebrates American Heart Month
Newburgh, NY – A variety of activities, fundraisers and educational events highlight St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital’s (SLCH) recognition of American Heart Month. While nationally recognized for its treatment of cardiovascular disease, a key focus for the hospital is the prevention of heart-related issues.
The celebration began with the SLCH’s participation in the American Heart Association’s Little Hats, Big Hearts program. Each newborn delivered at the hospital in the month of February will be provided with a red, hand-knitted cap in order to raise awareness for heart disease and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the world.
The hospital staff supported another AHA program by participating in National Wear Red Day in support of Go Red for Women. One in three deaths among women each year are attributed to heart disease or stroke, and the American Heart Association estimates that 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events can be prevented with education and action.
In addition, members of the hospital clinical leadership have helped raise funds throughout the month for the SLCH Heart Walk Team. This year’s walk is scheduled for May 1, and all the money that is raised by the team will be donated to the American Heart Association.
Community education is also a major focus of the hospital’s prevention efforts, not just in February, but throughout the year. Members of the Cardiovascular Institute medical staff were on hand to provide free blood pressure checks and answer questions at the Newburgh Mall’s Go Red for Women heath fair on Feb. 20, and will be providing information on stroke prevention to the Highland Falls/West Point Rotary Club on Feb. 25. In addition, the hospital has partnered with 2Alices Coffee Lounge in Newburgh to present “Coffee House Call,” with Dr. Mehul Patel, Medical Director of the SLCH Cardiovascular Institute. Dr. Patel will be at 2Alices’ Newburgh location on Sunday, March 6 at 1 p.m. for an informal discussion and information session.
The St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Cardiovascular Institute was formed in December 2014. The agreement enhances the already collaborative relationship between the hospital and participating cardiologists by specifically focusing on the quality of care provided to patients. The SLCH Cardiovascular Institute provides an avenue for the entire cardiology team to be involved in a patient’s plan of care. This cohesive approach is designed to enhance the overall patient experience and ultimately increase patient satisfaction. The agreement will improve efficiency, allow for new and unique clinical services, and provide community education.
The Cardiovascular Institute is the latest example of SLCH’s quality cardiovascular patient care. The hospital was recognized as a 2013 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in the United States, in the measure sets of Heart Attack, Heart Failure and Stroke. SLCH has earned the American Stroke Association’s “Get With the Guidelines Gold Plus Achievement Award” for excellence in stroke care in each of the last five years.
About St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital
St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) is a not-for-profit community hospital with campuses in Newburgh and Cornwall, NY. The hospital is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the Hudson Valley and has achieved excellence in the delivery of compassionate and comprehensive health care services. SLCH has received the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for five consecutive years. The Joint Commission noted SLCH for excellence in Key Quality Measures in management of Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Stroke and Surgical Care. SLCH is also recognized as an industry leader in using information technology to improve patient care, by winning the Most Wired Award for the second year in a row. In January 2016, SLCH officially partnered with Montefiore Health System to strengthen the delivery of health care locally and enhance access to exceptional specialty care for Hudson Valley residents.
