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What's New at NCDR and ACC Accreditation Services

Stay up to date with the latest news from ACC NCDR and Accreditation Services, where data, accreditation and collaboration come together to drive meaningful improvements in cardiovascular care.

Celebrating Ten Years of Excellence

As ACC NCDR and Accreditation Services celebrates 10 years together, we reflect on a decade of progress, collaboration, and measurable improvement in cardiovascular care. Together with our partners, we remain focused on driving innovation, quality, and better outcomes for patients nationwide.

New Accreditation Designation

10 Years Together

NEW Chest Pain Center Accreditation Cardiogenic Shock Designations!

New standards focused on early recognition and escalation of cardiogenic shock. Presales will be available in late spring 2026. Stay tuned for tools and resources to support your planning.

News Stories and Journal Scans

Explore the latest ACC NCDR and Accreditation articles and stay informed about updates, insights and key developments.

CMS Proposes Updates to TAVR National Coverage Determination

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ACC Streamlines Cardiac Accreditation for Hospital Systems

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ACC HeartCARE Center Designation Hits 100 Hospital Milestone

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NCDR Study: Prevalence and Outcomes of PCI Performed at Facilities Without On-Site Cardiac Surgery

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NCDR Study: Off-Label Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Interventions Demonstrate Reduced Residual TR, Improved QOL

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QI.PI Project Grant Recipient Develops Digital Biomarker for PAD Screening


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Stay Connected to Quality and Practice Excellence

U.S. News and World Report

In the 2026 U.S. News and World Report "Best Hospitals" issues annual ad insert, the ACC recognizes the more than 2,000 hospitals, health systems and centers participating in NCDR and/or Accreditation Services.

 

ACC CV Quality SmartBrief

The ACC CV Quality SmartBrief eNewsletter is a free, twice-weekly briefing for health care stakeholders interested in quality care.

Learn more about the ACC CV Quality SmartBrief and subscribe.

Connect Through DocMatter

ACC members can deepen their engagement through DocMatter, the College's exclusive, secure online community. DocMatter connects over 65,000 cardiovascular professionals to provide a trusted space to exchange insights, discuss clinical and operational challenges, and stay informed about ACC NCDR and Accreditation programs and initiatives.

ACC members can access DocMatter as part of their membership.

From The ACC

Explore the latest news and insights from the American College of Cardiology shaping cardiovascular quality, care delivery, and accreditation.

  • IPC professionals call for diverse career pathways, training

    Infection prevention and control leaders highlight the need for diverse career pathways in the field, noting a shift from nurse-dominated roles to multidisciplinary teams that include microbiologists, pharmacists and public health professionals. They emphasize the importance of data-driven approaches and suggest the establishment of dedicated bachelor's degrees in IPC to better prepare professionals. Infection Control Today (7/21) Learn More

  • Mortality may be higher for older adults with lower GI bleeding

    A multinational cohort study in The Lancet Regional Health -- Europe found that older adults with lower gastrointestinal bleeding had more severe bleeding, higher comorbidity burden and worse 30-day outcomes compared with younger adults. The study, conducted by Francisco Vara-Luiz of the Hospital Garcia de Orta in Portugal and colleagues, included 1,058 adults from 11 centers in seven European countries and showed that 30-day mortality was 13.7% for older adults and 5% for younger adults. Medscape (7/21) Learn More

  • Cardiologists face challenges in treating aging population

    A rapidly aging US population is leading to a growing number of older patients with complex health issues, including cardiovascular disease. Cardiologists are increasingly turning to minimally invasive procedures and AI tools to address the needs of these patients. "The biggest shift is that decisions are less about a single lesion or procedure and more about how treatment aligns with quality of life, independence, and what matters most to the patient," said Dr. Michael Nanna, an interventional cardiologist. Medscape (7/14) Learn More

  • Hospital merger activity surges in 2026, near 2025 total

    Hospital merger and acquisition activity has risen in 2026, with 40 deals announced in the first half, nearly matching the 46 deals in all of 2025, according to Kaufman Hall. Total transacted revenue for the second quarter reached $7.7 billion, significantly higher than the $1.4 billion from a year ago. Major deals include Quorum Health's transition to a nonprofit model, a merger between Atrium Health and WakeMed, and a merger between Sutter Health and Allina Health. Chief Healthcare Executive (7/21) Learn More

  • Report: Current payment models not suitable for clinical AI

    Existing healthcare payment models, such as fee-for-service and capitation, are not suitable for clinical AI, as they may inflate costs since they aren't designed for it, according to a Peterson Health Technology Institute report. New payment models should be tailored to clinical AI, rewarding outcomes and evolving with evidence, and payment should be linked with clinical and financial value, rather than volume of AI use. Additionally, the report notes that new payment models are needed for autonomous clinical AI, and they should be created for specific contexts and address questions such as how coding and billing should evolve. MedCity News (7/20) Learn More

  • Health system creates method to help hospitals evaluate AI

    UVA Health researchers have developed a new framework to aid hospitals in evaluating AI tools. It involves a structured method that balances finances, patient safety, care quality and staff impact. WCAV-TV/WVAW-TV/WAHU-TV (Charlottesville, Va.) (7/21) Learn More

  • Building trust for more inclusive clinical trials

    Adrelia Allen, executive director of clinical trial patient representation at Merck Research Laboratories, argues that improving diversity in clinical trials requires educating patients earlier, building trust through community partnerships, and addressing practical barriers such as transportation and scheduling. "When people have access to clear, culturally relevant information, they're better positioned to make informed decisions about their healthcare," Allen writes. Clinical Leader (7/16) Learn More

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