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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.

  • Early flu season brings high Oct. hospitalizations

    This year's influenza season has started early, with a surge in cases driven by a mutated H1N1 strain. According to CDC reports cited by Johns Hopkins experts, influenza hospitalizations in mid-October reached their highest early-season levels since 2010-2011. The new H1N1 variant exhibits partial immune escape, but the 2026 vaccine still generates antibodies that recognize it, offering protection. Influenza activity is rising, especially in the West and South, and ongoing surveillance is monitoring the spread and impact of the early flu wave. Infection Control Today (11/2) Learn More

  • Oseltamivir use not tied to shorter child hospital stays

    Research presented at a European Paediatric Academic Societies meeting found that oseltamivir use does not shorten hospital stays for children with influenza, regardless of when it is administered. The study, using data from the SPRINT-KIDS network, analyzed data from 2,547 children and found no significant difference in hospital stay length between early and late administration of the drug. Medscape (11/3) Learn More

  • Rural heart attack patients' mortality higher en route to hospital

    Rural heart attack patients are three times more likely to die en route to a hospital compared with urban patients, a study published in the journal JAMA Cardiology found. The study examined outcomes of over 1,300 patients in rural areas and more than 6,800 in urban settings and suggests longer travel distances and limited access to advanced medical care contribute to the disparity. HealthDay News (11/2) Learn More

  • Study questions scope of long COVID symptoms

    An analysis of 14.4 billion US health insurance claims found that traditional research methods may significantly overstate the number and variety of health problems linked to long COVID, according to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. By correcting for study design biases -- such as comparing COVID-positive individuals to those never tested -- the researchers saw a 98% reduction in symptoms attributed to COVID-19 from four to twelve months post-infection. Only myopathy, hair loss, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory failure showed a consistently elevated risk, and by one year, no symptoms remained clearly attributable to the infection. The Stanford Daily (Stanford University) (11/3) Learn More

  • Private equity ownership of US hospitals rises to 12%

    Private equity groups now own nearly 12% of privately owned hospitals in the country, up from 9.5% in July, according to a tracker from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. The increase is attributed to the $3.9 billion acquisition of Select Medical by a group of private equity firms. "Anyone who thinks private equity is done buying hospitals should think again," said Jim Baker, executive director of PESP. "The industry is still placing multi-billion-dollar bets on hospitals." Health Exec (11/2) Learn More

  • CMS finalizes 2% Medicare payment cut for 2027

    The CMS has finalized a 2% reduction in Medicare physician payment rates for 2027, with targeted increases for primary care, chronic care and behavioral health. The rule aims to shift Medicare from volume-based care to prevention and accountable care, and it includes changes to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System and remote patient monitoring. Some physician groups have criticized the move, warning it exacerbates financial pressures on practices already struggling with years of inadequate reimbursement. Fierce Healthcare (11/4) Learn More

  • Patient experience can help rebuild trust in healthcare

    Healthcare must move beyond transactional relationships and prioritize empathy, tailored communication and transparency to rebuild patient trust, writes Jason Wolf of The Beryl Institute. Experience in healthcare is not just about metrics; it encompasses everything a patient perceives and remembers about a care journey. Human-centric care, where patient experience is prioritized, can lead to improved trust in healthcare systems. MedCity News (11/3) Learn More

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