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Affinity's cardiac & pulmonary rehabilitation programs certified

09 / 26 / 2007

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MENASHA, Wis. – The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (ACVPR) has re-certified the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh and St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. These hospitals are the only certified programs in the Fox River Valley.

Affinity’s cardiac rehabilitation programs are designed to control cardiac symptoms, stabilize and/or improve the patient’s condition, reduce the risk for sudden death or relapse, limit the physiological and psychological effects of cardiac illness and enhance the patient’s quality of life. Between 240 and 295 cardiac rehabilitation patients are seen at either Mercy Medical Center or St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Affinity’s pulmonary rehabilitation programs help pulmonary patients achieve and maintain an individual’s maximum level of independence and functioning in the community. Between 80 and 120 pulmonary rehabilitation patients are seen at the two hospitals.

St. Elizabeth Hospital has offered cardiac rehabilitation since 1978 and pulmonary rehabilitation since 1983; while Mercy Medical Center has offered cardiac rehabilitation since 1980 and pulmonary rehabilitation since 1990.

The ACVPR is an international, multi-disciplinary association dedicated to the improvement of clinical practice, promotion of scientific inquiry, and the advancement of education for the benefit of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation professionals and the patients they serve.

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For the Editor:
Affinity Health System, a Catholic mission-oriented regional health care network, is a partnership of Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Affinity Health System is the Fox Valley’s third largest employer, according to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and is ranked 24 among the top 100 integrated health care networks nationwide (Verispan 2008). Both St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh rank among the top 1 percent among hospitals nationwide in terms of quality and efficiency, as determined by the 2007 Premier | CareScience Select practice National Quality Award. Network Health Plan has achieved Excellent accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the highest possible level. It is ranked 37th among the 250 rated health plans in the nation in terms of customer satisfaction and clinical performance, according to the U.S. News and World Report/NCQA Best Health Plans in America listing. Members of Affinity include Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Health Foundation, Oshkosh; St. Elizabeth Hospital and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Community Foundation, Appleton; Affinity Medical Group, a regional network of 23 family practice and specialty clinics in 13 communities; Calumet Medical Center, Chilton; Network Health Plan, Menasha; and Affinity Occupational Health.