CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Earns National Certification for Cardiac Rehabilitation

CHRISTUS Good Shepherd is proud to announce the certification of its cardiovascular rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

The three-year certification is a recognition of CHRISTUS Good Shepherd’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.

“To be recognized at the national level is a credit to the work done by our Associates on a daily basis,” said Karlee Small, cardiac rehab clinical director.

In 2018, AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measurements that represent more meaningful outcomes.

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, participating in cardiac rehab decreases risk of death by nearly 35% in the five years following a heart attack or bypass surgery.

“Cardiac rehab is a multidisciplinary approach using RNs and exercise physiologists that provides individual care to our East Texas community,” said Marcia Oxsheer, RN. “We pride ourselves on developing relationships with our patients to guide them through their recovery.”

The cardiac rehab certification follows CHRISTUS Good Shepherd being recognized earlier in the summer with the highest honor, the Platinum Performance Achievement Award, from the American College of Cardiology for high-level cardiac care.

“We want to be the complete heart care program for patients in East Texas and cardiac rehab plays a vital part in that,” said Susan Amundsen, administrative director of nursing for cardiovascular services at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd. “We are so proud of them and the work they do to help our patients recover effectively and efficiently.”