King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has reached a historic milestone, becoming the first hospital in Thailand to receive the prestigious American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines for Heart Failure (AHA GWTG HF) Gold Award. This accolade recognizes the hospital’s unwavering commitment to providing world-class cardiac care, particularly for patients with heart failure, by adhering to rigorous international standards. The award not only reflects the hospital’s dedication to elevating patient care but also establishes a new benchmark for excellence in cardiovascular health across the nation.
Assistant Professor Dr. Yuwaree Pichitchok, Deputy Director, CEO, and Human Resources, noted that King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has been honored with the AHA GWTG HF Gold Award for delivering exceptional care to heart disease patients, especially those suffering from heart failure. This achievement signifies a substantial enhancement in the quality of patient care in alignment with international standards.
The hospital currently follows a comprehensive policy aimed at improving patient care quality across all medical disciplines, not solely cardiology. Emphasizing the implementation of the safest and most effective treatment plans at every stage, the hospital strives to minimize patient risks. Key actions include developing a system to ensure the highest standards of care and efficiency, encompassing everything from medication to diagnostic tools, thereby providing patients with the best possible care.
“This award reflects our commitment over the past two years to improve the standard of care for heart disease patients, particularly those with heart failure. Our recognition and international acclaim have contributed to the achievement of the Gold Award. These accomplishments attest to the high-quality patient care we provide and serve as a source of pride for the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Cardiac Centre. Furthermore, they are a testament to the effective collaboration across departments that sustains and continually enhances these standards,” Dr. Pichitchok added.
Associate Professor Dr. Sarinya Puwanant, Head of the Section of Heart Failure and Cardiology Transplant, explained that King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has participated in the American Heart Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program, known as “Get With The Guidelines for Heart Failure.” This initiative aims to elevate the quality of patient care to meet evidence-based standards for heart failure patients. To earn the Gold Award, the hospital had to meet various certification criteria consistently over a two-year period, commencing in January 2022, without any lapses in patient care standards for 730 consecutive days.
International research has demonstrated that patients treated according to the program’s criteria have a better chance of living longer, enjoying an improved quality of life, increasing their capacity for exercise, and experiencing significant reductions in hospital readmission rates. Some patients who previously suffered from extreme tiredness, pulmonary edema, and frequent hospital visits showed marked improvement in their symptoms after receiving treatment in accordance with the guidelines, thereby preventing the need for future hospitalizations.
In critical cases, patients were referred by cardiologists from other hospitals for heart transplantation at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. With treatments that meet the standard of care, many patients’ conditions improved to the extent that heart transplant surgery was no longer required. The AHA GWTG HF Gold Award was achieved with support from both public and private sectors, including contributions from Novartis (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which played a significant role in this success.
Associate Professor Dr. Suphot Srimahachota, from the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, clarified that heart failure is often misunderstood as sudden cardiac arrest or a heart attack. In reality, heart failure occurs when the heart’s function, akin to a water or blood pump, becomes less efficient. Consequently, the heart pumps less blood, leading to reduced circulation throughout the body.
When the heart’s pumping function fails, fluid begins to accumulate in various areas. This buildup can result in pulmonary edema, causing patients to feel fatigued, experience difficulty breathing, and prefer sitting up rather than lying flat. Fluid can also accumulate in the legs, leading to swelling, or in the abdomen, causing bloating. Heart failure can affect patients with any type of heart disease, meaning individuals with various heart conditions are at risk. Common causes of heart failure include coronary artery disease, valvular heart diseases, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure.
Heart failure represents a significant global public health issue, with over 64 million patients affected worldwide. Although precise statistics for Thailand are not yet available, it is estimated that around four million Thais suffer from heart failure. This condition is considered more alarming than some cancers due to its high mortality rate.
Heart failure has a one-year mortality rate of approximately 20–30 percent and a five-year mortality rate exceeding 50 percent, meaning about half of those diagnosed will die within five years. Standard treatment for heart failure involves addressing the underlying cardiac issues that impair the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. For instance, guideline-directed medical therapy or the implantation of a pacemaker device are standard treatments. If these are ineffective, further options include cardiac pacemaker implantation or heart transplantation.
Associate Professor Dr. Somchai Prechawat, Chief of the Cardiac Centre at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, stated that the Cardiac Centre provides comprehensive care for patients with cardiovascular diseases. This includes medication, pacemaker implantation, radiofrequency ablation, cardiac catheterization, non-surgical coronary angioplasty, catheter-based heart valve replacement, a range of heart surgeries from general to complex, implantation of artificial heart pumps, and heart transplantation.
Alongside a team of experienced medical professionals, the Cardiac Centre employs innovative technology for diagnosing and treating heart conditions to international standards. We are committed to continually advancing the quality of care, aiming to offer innovative treatments for Thai patients and establishing ourselves as a trusted centre for heart disease care throughout Thailand.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Chanchai Sittipunt, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Hospital Director at Chulalongkorn University, the hospital provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for patients with cardiovascular disease. He expressed profound honor that the hospital has received the 2024 AHA GWTG HF Gold Award for establishing a high standard of care for heart failure patients. This recognition serves not only as a source of immense pride but also marks the hospital as the first in Thailand to attain such a prestigious international certification, representing a significant milestone for the country.
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital is equipped with specialists in cardiovascular diseases, cutting-edge technology, and advanced medical equipment. Accordingly, the hospital offers thorough diagnostic and treatment services for heart disease patients, supported by a team of expert cardiologists and highly experienced multidisciplinary medical staff. The hospital remains focused on delivering care for particularly complex heart conditions, with the aim of serving individuals across all levels and ultimately becoming a trusted pillar of healthcare for patients.
This award is great and all, but shouldn’t we be more concerned about the accessibility of such advanced treatments for the average Thai citizen?
I totally agree. What’s the point of having world-class care if only a few can afford it?
That’s a valid point, but improving hospital standards can elevate overall healthcare quality, even if indirectly.
True, Mike. But it still feels like another example where the rich get richer in terms of health benefits.
But you also have to consider the long-term benefits. Better facilities and recognition might attract more funding from both public and private sectors, potentially making these treatments more accessible in the future.
I think this achievement really puts Thailand on the global map for medical excellence!
No doubt! It’s about time we get some recognition for something other than tourism.
I still think we need to focus more on preventive healthcare rather than just high-tech solutions.
Preventive measures are important, but having top-notch treatment options is also essential for those who already suffer from severe conditions.
Interesting to see Novartis involved. Makes me wonder if there’s any conflict of interest here.
Good catch. Always follow the money, people.
I see your point, but collaborations like these are necessary for advancements. Pharma companies have resources that hospitals might lack.
Isn’t it amazing how science and medicine can come together to improve and even save lives? Kudos to the hospital team!
Or it’s just another way for Big Pharma to make more money. Let’s not kid ourselves.
While that might be partially true, these advancements genuinely improve patients’ lives. It’s not all a cash grab.
Do you really think they care about patients more than profits? Be realistic.
As a heart failure patient myself, this kind of recognition gives me hope that better treatments will become more widespread!
The collaboration between public and private sectors seems like a great model. Could this be a new standard for healthcare around the world?
It’s a good start, but we have to be cautious about corporate influences overshadowing public health needs.
Are there any known side effects of these new treatments mentioned in the article?
Mostly minor, but as with any treatment, there are always risks. It’s crucial to weigh them against the benefits.
First hospital in Thailand to get this award. Impressive. What’s next, a Nobel Prize?
It’s a significant milestone and a source of national pride, no doubt about it.
High mortality rate for heart failure patients is alarming. I hope more hospitals will adopt these guidelines.
Adopting such guidelines across more hospitals is key to lowering these mortality rates.
It’s great to see such high standards being met, but how do we ensure this level of care is maintained long-term?
I knew heart failure was serious, but I had no idea the mortality rate was that high. Scary stuff.
That’s why it’s so important to monitor your heart health and adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
Easier said than done, but yes, true.
Will this award affect the hospital’s funding and budget in any way?
Good question. Increased visibility and credibility can lead to more funding opportunities.
Congrats to the team! Patient care advancements are always worth celebrating.
Absolutely. Every step forward in healthcare is immensely valuable.