Griffin cardiac rehab in Derby wins certification

Program improves patients' quality of life

DERBY - When Jeanette Connelly of Derby had a pacemaker implanted seven years ago and her physician recommended cardiac rehabilitation, she knew there was only one place to go.

Connelly completed a cardiac rehab program in New Haven 13 years prior following a heart attack, but didn’t feel like she gained any insight into her condition or the recommended lifestyle changes. 
She surveyed several area cardiac rehabilitation programs, and found the best one in her own city at Griffin Hospital.

“I absolutely loved coming to Griffin,” Connelly said. “I learned so much and always felt like I was part of my treatment. I’ve talked with friends who were in other cardiac rehab programs about my experience and they were amazed by how much I learned.”

She was so impressed with her treatment at Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation that she became a volunteer and is a longtime member of its weekly fitness programs.

That’s why it came as no surprise to Connelly and other patients of the program when Griffin Hospital recently received Certification of its Cardiac Rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). 
The certification recognizes the hospital for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care.

“Our cardiac rehabilitation program has built a tradition of personal caring, respected expertise and a commitment to excellence,” said Griffin Hospital Vice President for Ambulatory Care Services Marge Deegan. “This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the Cardiac Rehabilitation staff and is much deserved.”

AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available. Griffin Hospital’s program certification is valid for three years.

Cardiovascular rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) recover faster and improve their quality of life. Such programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

Focused on excellence

Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Manager Eunice Lisk, MS, started pursuing the AACVPR certification over three years ago because she knew the program exemplified the AACVPR’s focus on positive outcomes for patients and commitment to patient satisfaction.

The application process required 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 professional societies. 
Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee and Certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

The Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation program has built upon its solid reputation for success and satisfaction with a new spacious and attractive fitness center, the latest equipment and personal care that involves the patient in his or her treatment.

“This certification just validates what we do every day,” Lisk said. “Our staff doesn’t see their work as just an exercise program, but as a lifestyle change for their patients. Receiving this recognition is a culmination of their dedication to delivering care that is second to none.”

Maria Cantito, R.N., cardiac nurse, believes the program’s great outcomes and hospital-leading patient satisfaction scores are a result of its encouraging atmosphere for both patients and staff.

“We’re allowed to be creative in shaping the program,” Cantito said, “which gave us ownership and the freedom to truly focus on our patients’ needs. I think we set ourselves apart from other programs through our very thorough education. People leave here very confident in what they are doing and know where they want to go with their rehabilitation.”

Tom Gallagher, clinical exercise physiologist, added that “the staff is like a team. We work together every day to educate, motivate and care for our patients. It’s that teamwork that sets us apart from other programs.”

Spreading the word

The Certification will help highlight Griffin’s successful program along with the stream of patient-to-patient referrals it has received for years.

Charlie Carino of Shelton, first heard of the program in 1998 after suffering a heart attack. His physician recommended he enroll in a cardiac rehab program and directed him towards Griffin Hospital. 
Carino said he was impressed with and grateful for the “kind, caring and compassionate staff” he found in the program and throughout the hospital as a product of its Planetree patient-centered model of care.

When Charlie had a minor heart event this past June, he requested advice from his doctor as to where he should go for a cardiac rehab refresher.

“This program was impressive a decade ago and it’s even better now with its new fitness center and state-of-the-art machines,” Carino said. “But it’s really the people that make this place worth it. They empower patients by giving them the opportunity to participate in their recovery and well-being rather than being told what to do. I’m always telling people about this place and encouraging friends to come here if they or someone they know needs cardiac rehabilitation. You can’t do much better than here.”

About Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation

Located at 350 Seymour Ave., the Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program offers a range of services for people with heart disease, including those who may have had a heart attack, undergone bypass surgery, had a heart transplant, valve replacement, angioplasty, stents, or have angina. 
The three-phase program provides a structured, supportive environment in which persons with heart disease can safely work to restore normal physical activities.

For more information on the cardiac rehabilitation program or other cardiovascular services at Griffin Hospital, call 203-732-7106.

About AACVPR

Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. 
Central to the core mission is improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.