More than two dozen health systems nationwide commit to heart failure patient care

The American Heart Association’s IMPLEMENT-HF™ initiative aims to improve patient outcomes, bridge gaps in care

DALLAS, February 13, 2023 — Approximately 6 million Americans live with heart failure (HF) — a number expected to reach epidemic proportions as the population ages.[1] According to the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, the condition ranks among the costliest to treat and takes a tremendous toll on patients’ quality of life and longevity.

To tackle this growing problem, more than two dozen health care systems across the country have enlisted to participate in the American Heart Association’s IMPLEMENT-HF™ initiative since it launched in 2020.  

The vision of IMPLEMENT-HF™ is to create a health care ecosystem for heart failure that emphasizes implementation science and patient engagement. IMPLEMENT-HF™ will work to bridge communication and coordination between care settings, health care professionals and patients to achieve precise heart failure management and improve outcomes.

The initiative will use established American Heart Association primary data collection approaches, including the Association’s hospital-based Get With The Guidelines^® – Heart Failure program, to identify, implement and evaluate processes to develop new standards for heart failure patient management. 

Health systems in seven geographic regions were invited to participate in IMPLEMENT-HF™. Sites within these systems joined the call, demonstrating their commitment to quality heart failure care:

• Chicago area
  

  • Advocate Aurora Health Care
  • Insight Chicago
  • NorthShore University HealthSystem
  • Rush University System for Health
  • Silver Cross Hospital
  • University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System

• East Central Rural North Carolina area

  • CarolinaEast Health System
  • Carteret Health Care
  • UNC Health Care
  • Onslow Memorial Hospital

• Kansas City area

  • AdventHealth
  • HCA Healthcare
  • St. Luke’s Health System
  • University Health

• Milwaukee area

  • Ascension
  • Advocate Aurora Health Care
  • Cedar Lake Health & Rehabilitation Center*
  • East Castle Place*
  • Froedtert Health
  • ProHealth
  • West Allis Fire Department*

• New Jersey area

  • Hackensack Meridian Health
  • Inspira Health
  • Penn Medicine
  • University Hospital
  • Virtua Health System

• Philadelphia area

  • Penn Medicine
  • Jefferson Health

• St. Louis area

  • BJC HealthCare
  • SSM Health

*These facilities are not collecting program data.

The American Heart Association’s National heart failure initiative, IMPLEMENT-HF™, is made possible with funding from founding sponsor, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and national sponsors, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company. 

More information about IMPLEMENT-HF™, including a full list of participating hospitals in each health system, can be found at www.heart.org/implementhf. 

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

Michelle Rosenfeld: 214-706-1099; michelle.rosenfeld@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

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