The Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb earns national recognition for commitment to improve high blood pressure.
The American Heart Association and the American Medical Association announce the 2019 list of physician practices and health systems receiving a Target: BP™ Recognition Award for their commitment to prioritize blood pressure control within the communities they serve
Marietta, GA October 29, 2019— The Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb is pleased to be recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) as a leader in the national effort to get patient blood pressure rates under control and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year.
As part of the 2019 Target: BP Recognition Program, AHA and AMA awarded The Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb with Gold Status—one of just 542 physician practices and health systems to be recognized for achieving blood pressure control rates of 70 percent or more in their adult patient population with high blood pressure. A total of 1,183 physician practices and health systems nationwide were recognized by the program for their commitment to help patients improve blood pressure control. The recognized organizations represent 29.8 million adult patients, with more than 8 million patients diagnosed with hypertension, across 46 states and territories. The AHA and AMA awarded only 3 clinics in the state of Georgia with Gold Status and The Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb is the only clinic recognized in Metro-Atlanta.
Launched in 2015, Target: BP is a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the U.S. The initiative aims to help health care organizations improve blood pressure control rates through use of the AMA’s evidence-based M.A.P. quality improvement program, and recognizes organizations committed to improving blood pressure control.
“The Target: BP Program is so valuable to Good Sam because it provides comprehensive whole person care and education to our patients with hypertension. The program helps the entire medical team to work together to educate patients on their disease state, importance of medication adherence, and the role of therapeutic lifestyle changes in getting their blood pressure under control and keeping it there,” said Dr. Adrienne Polite, Good Sam Cobb Quality Director.
There are 116 million U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, the nation’s number one risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and less than half have it controlled to target level. Many patients are unaware of the deadly consequences associated with high blood pressure and that it can be managed working in partnership with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan.
“Although we have the tools to treat high blood pressure, many patients face a variety of barriers that make it difficult to successfully manage the condition. That’s why the American Heart Association and American Medical Association created the Target: BP initiative—to bring patients and providers together to successfully get blood pressure under control,” said AMA President Patrice A. Harris, M.D., M.A. “We
applaud the physicians who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems and patients to join this effort to
prioritize the rising risk of high blood pressure and improve health outcomes for patients across the nation.”
"Collaboration is key to managing high blood pressure," said AHA President Robert Harrington, MD, FAHA. "When doctors, clinics, patients and organizations like the American Heart Association and American Medical Association are all working towards the same goal, we have the opportunity for great success. We are pleased to be a part of the success of so many practices – and so many patients – in reducing high blood pressure and improving health."
The Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb along with all other practices and health systems being recognized will be featured in upcoming Target: BP materials. This includes appearing in national journal ads, on TargetBP.org, and acknowledged at AMA and AHA events throughout the year.
CONTACT: Cheryl Haire-Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb, 770-419-3120 ext. 170
Cheryl.Haire@GoodSamHC.org
