Franciscan Health's Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Cardiovascular Programs Receive New Certification

The Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Programs at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields have received reaccreditation from the American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

The re-accreditation comes in recognition of the hospital’s commitment to improving the quality of life for patients by enhancing standards of care.

“All of us at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields are proud of the hard work and dedication of our cardiopulmonary rehabilitation teams who have gone to great lengths to achieve this prestigious accreditation,” said Raymond Grady, Chairman and CEO of Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. “Our patients can have additional peace of mind knowing they are receiving exceptional care from highly rated professionals to help them achieve the best possible outcomes.”

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with coronary artery problems (such as heart attacks and heart surgery) and breathing problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema) recover faster and live healthier lives. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families.

Studies have shown that patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation can reduce all-cause mortality by nearly 60% after one year and all-cause hospitalizations by more than 40%, including heart failure. The National Institutes of Health reports that pulmonary rehabilitation can help patients gain strength, reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression, and make it easier to manage routine activities, work, outings, or social activities.

To achieve reaccreditation, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields rehabilitation programs participated in an application process that required extensive documentation of program practices. AACVPR program certification is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR and other relevant professional associations.

Each program application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Accreditation Committee and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

In 2018, the AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measures that represent more meaningful outcomes. AACVPR-accredited programs offer the most advanced practices available and have proven records of high-quality patient care.

The AACVPR program certification is valid for three years.