Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center recognized for its cardiac care

POMONA -- Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Stead Heart and Vascular Center has been recognized by the American Heart Association for its work treating patients with cardiac problems.

The center earned the association's "Get With the Guidelines -- Heart Failure, Gold Performance Achievement Award" as well as the "Get With the Guidelines -- Coronary Artery Disease, Silver Performance Achievement Award," according to the hospital.

"Stead Heart and Vascular Center at PVHMC is dedicated to making our care for heart failure and coronary artery disease patients among the best in the country," said Deborah Keasler, director of the center.

The gold award goes to institutions that for two years have complied with or exceeded 85 percent of the association's guidelines in treating heart failure patients.

The silver award recognizes hospitals where 85 percent of coronary patients without complications were given care and instructions following the association's treatment guidelines. Such practices had to be in place for at least a year.

In addition to being recognized by the American Heart Association, the hospital was recently listed among America's best hospitals of 2009-10 by U.S. News and World Report