Overlook Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program again certified by American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
SUMMIT, NJ (Union County) – Overlook Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehab at New Providence, part of Atlantic Health System was certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification is recognition of Overlook’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.
The certification is valid for three years. Overlook’s Cardiac Rehab at New Providence has received this certification eight consecutive times, starting in 2000.
“Cardiac rehabilitation is an essential phase in the continuum of a patient’s cardiac health,” said Elliott Stein, MD, medical director of the program. “Our goal is not only to help patients recover from a cardiac event and build back a strong, healthy heart, but also helping them to lead longer, heart-healthy lives.”
Cardiovascular rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, heart valve repairs, heart transplants and specific types of heart failure) recover faster and live healthier lives. This program includes exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.
Patients in Overlook’s physician-led Cardiac Rehabilitation program are exercised three times a week for 12 weeks by a care team that includes telemetry-certified registered nurses, exercise physiologists and registered dietitians.
Using carefully monitored exercise regimens and working with patients to guide them to better nutrition, the program seeks to reduce patients’ risks of heart disease and improve their quality of life.
“The key to our success is that we take an individualized approach with each patient,” said Darlene Husch, the program’s registered dietitian nutritionist. “We take the time to learn about our patients and devise care plans to reduce their modifiable risk factors and promote improved cardiac health. Our multidisciplinary approach to cardiac rehabilitation involves educating and supporting appropriate lifestyle changes, particularly through diet and exercise.”
To earn accreditation, Overlook’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies. Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.
In 2018, AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measurements that represent more meaningful outcomes. Therefore, AACVPR-certified programs are leaders in the cardiovascular rehabilitation field because they offer the most advanced practices available and have proven track records of high-quality patient care.
