Bellin Recognized as CDC Million Hearts Partner
Initiative aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized Bellin Health as a partner in its Million Hearts® campaign, an initiative to help prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.
The CDC’s Dr. Ursula Bauer presented the recognition during a visit to Bellin Hospital this fall. Bauer is the director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), an arm of the CDC that brings together data, healthcare systems and communities to support healthy choices and reduce risk behaviors for all Americans. The CDC co-leads Million Hearts with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
“This important recognition highlights the steps Bellin is taking, day in and day out, to help prevent heart disease and stroke while improving patients’ quality of life,” said Andrea Werner, Bellin Heath vice president of Heart, Lung and Vascular Services. “Working together, we know we can make a powerful difference in our community and beyond. Bellin is honored to be a part of the Million Hearts initiative, and we thank the CDC for its recognition and support.”
Bellin takes a multifaceted approach to its heart disease and stroke prevention efforts, starting with primary care providers’ use of the Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Tool (CVRR). This instrument assesses factors including blood pressure, family history, calcium score results, weight, smoking history and cholesterol levels to determine patients’ risk for developing cardiovascular disease and tailor preventive efforts and treatment accordingly. Calcium scoring, a component of CVRR analysis, is a screening program that involves taking a CT scan of the chest to identify calcified plaque in the coronary arteries.
Patients receive information about steps they can take to live a healthier life, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, smoking cessation and management of hypertension. Other screenings, including vascular and lung screenings, aid in the health system’s preventive efforts. And Cardiology Associates of Bellin Health has a team of 22 physicians and advanced practice clinicians who integrate prevention into everyday practice.
In addition to working with patients, Bellin places a high value on community outreach to help prevent heart disease and stroke. The health system is a National Hospital Alliance member of Womenheart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, and uses its presence at numerous community events to educate on heart disease generally and the dangers it poses for women, specifically. Heart disease and stroke prevention is a key focus of Bellin’s 83 on-site employer clinics that improve overall health and wellness while reducing healthcare costs for businesses throughout the region.
About Million Hearts
Million Hearts is a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts brings together communities, health systems, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and private-sector partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) co-leads Million Hearts with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
About Bellin Health
Bellin Health, www.bellin.org, is an integrated healthcare delivery system based in Green Bay, Wis. It has serviced people in Northeast Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula since 1908. Bellin Health has more than 3,900 employees and is known for its emphasis on preventive healthcare and is the region’s leader in cardiac, orthopedics, sports medicine, digestive health, mental health, and primary care medicine. It is comprised of Bellin Hospital, Bellin Psychiatric Center, 32 Bellin Health primary care physician clinics, and several retail health clinics known as Bellin Health FastCare. Bellin also operates Bellin Health Oconto Hospital, a critical care access hospital in Oconto, Bellin Fitness, and Bellin College. Through its Bellin-ThedaCare Healthcare Partners collaboration, the health system was a participant in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Pioneer Accountable Care Program, generating $14 million in savings since 2012.