BFMC Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Department Earns Certification

GREENFIELD — Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s (BFMC) Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Department has received certification from the American Assoc. of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for a three-year term. The department was recognized for its commitment to improving quality of life by enhancing standards of care for cardiovascular and pulmonary patients.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (including heart attacks and coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory symptoms) recover more quickly and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families.

The BFMC Cardiopulmonary 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 professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR program certification committee. Certification is awarded by the AACVPR board of directors and is valid for three years.

“By working with our medical director, Dr. Tim Egan, we improved our program by developing comprehensive clinical competencies for staff who care for the patients in the program, establishing a range of clinical outcomes that demonstrate the value of completing the program, and creating ways to get feedback from patients on how to continuously improve the patient experience,” said Jane McKay, manager of the department.