Three More Healthcare Facilities Receive New Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center Accreditation

Three Pulmonary Hypertension Care Centers (PHCCs) have recently completed the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's rigorous accreditation review process. The newly accredited centers join 26 U.S. healthcare facilities to receive the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's prestigious accreditation since last year when the new review program launched.

Silver Spring, Md. (PRWEB) September 08, 2015

Three Pulmonary Hypertension Care Centers (PHCCs) have recently completed the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's rigorous accreditation review process. The newly accredited centers join 26 U.S. healthcare facilities to receive the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's prestigious accreditation since last year when the new review program launched.

Centers undergoing the accreditation process are healthcare facilities seeking to improve overall care and outcomes for people with pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH, specifically pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a debilitating disease of the lungs that affects the functioning of the heart and can lead to right heart failure.

In its nearly 25 years, PHA's work has led to significant advances in PH care, including the availability of 12 FDA-approved treatments. However, the association continues to fight for earlier and more accurate diagnosis. With symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pains, PH patients often receive a misdiagnosis, going months believing they have asthma or another less-threatening disease. Many patients will see three or more physicians before they are properly diagnosed. Without treatment, the average survival is less than three years.

PHCC accreditation means a program demonstrates a dedication to making a proper diagnosis. It also means a program has the capacity to appropriately and comprehensively manage PH patients through a set of criteria established by the PHA's Scientific Leadership Council and the PHCC Oversight Committee. The committee is comprised of members that are global leaders in the field of pulmonary hypertension.

Accreditation criteria reflect input from physicians, allied healthcare professionals, patients and PHA leadership. There are two types of accreditation: Centers of Comprehensive Care (CCC) and Regional Clinical Programs (RCP). Interested centers can apply online through the PH Care Centers Site Application Portal.

The three newly accredited PHCCs are:
1)    Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network - Pittsburgh, Pa.
2)    Children's Hospital Colorado Pulmonary Hypertension Program - Aurora, Colo.
3)    Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center (CPHC) - University Medical Center News Orleans, New Orleans, La.

As part of the PHCC accreditation process, PHA is developing the PHA Patient Registry (PHAR) of patients with PH. Accredited PH Care Centers and the patients they are managing will contribute data to PHAR, allowing researchers to track diagnostic and treatment patterns at a national level, ultimately demonstrating improvements in quality of care and quality of life of PH patients. Linking PHCCs through a national network will increase collaboration in the PH community, through clinical, quality improvement and investigative partnerships.

For more information on PHCC, go to: PHCareCenters.org or email PHCC(at)PHAssociation(dot)org.

About the Pulmonary Hypertension Association
Headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., with a growing list of chapters across the country, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is the country's leading pulmonary hypertension organization. Its mission is to find ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension and provide hope for the community through support, education, research, advocacy and awareness. PHA does this by connecting and working together with the entire PH community of patients, families and medical professionals. PHA relies on donations to fund its many programs, including early diagnosis efforts, more than 245 support groups around the country and continuing education for medical professionals through PHA Online University. For 12 consecutive years, PHA has received the highest rating--four stars--for fiscal accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator, placing it in the top half of one percent of all rated charities. For more information or to support PHA with a donation go to PHAssociation.org.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/09/prweb12947422.htm