Quality Improvement for Institutions
www.cvquality.acc.org

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.


  • Measles poses long-term health risk with immune amnesia

    Measles infections can cause immune amnesia, a condition that makes people susceptible to other infections for up to five years by erasing immune memory. This can lead to more physician visits and hospitalizations, especially among children in poor health. Research has found that measles survivors lose 11% to 73% of their antibodies, potentially leading to more severe illnesses from diseases they were previously protected against. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (10/2) Learn More

  • Post-appendectomy antibiotics do not cut infection risk

    A retrospective cohort study published in the Annals of Surgery found that postoperative antibiotics did not reduce infectious outcomes after appendectomy for acute appendicitis, including for individuals with intra-abdominal fluid. The study of 1,539 patients found that factors such as symptom duration of more than two days, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and presence of appendicoliths were independently linked to a higher risk of post-procedure infection. 2 Minute Medicine (10/5) Learn More

  • Study: C. difficile can affect infant gut development

    Research led by Joseph Zackular of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia challenged the belief that Clostridioides difficile colonization in infants is harmless. The study, published in the journal Science, shows that C. difficile can cause lasting changes in gut development and the immune system, even without symptoms. Zackular suggests preventive measures such as maternal vaccination could mitigate these effects. Contagion Live (9/23) Learn More

  • Experts: Care, drug prices fuel higher healthcare costs

    Prices set by hospitals, practices and pharmaceutical companies are the chief cause of America's high healthcare costs, health policy experts said. Unlike in other countries, where usage volume may drive expenses, in the US it is the actual prices of medical services and products that are inflating health insurance premiums for both individuals and businesses. STAT (10/4) Learn More

  • AI, sensors aid patient monitoring, but staffing is key

    Two studies highlight the role of technology in early detection of patient deterioration. Delays in vital sign validation due to staffing workflows were noted in a study in NPJ Health Systems. The measurement-to-validation lag increased by 5.2 minutes for every hour closer to a shift change. A report from Vega Health found the Duke Deterioration Index, an AI-powered model, outperformed traditional methods by catching 55% more deterioration events with fewer alerts. Combining the two methods yielded the best results. Healthcare IT News (10/2) Learn More

  • Photon-counting CT enhances cardiac imaging accuracy

    Photon-counting CT is helping to advance cardiac imaging by providing clearer images of cardiac tissue, leading to better diagnosis and prevention of cardiac disease. PCCT directly converts photons to electrical signals, reducing image distortion caused by metal implants and dense calcium. The technology allows for the scanning of patients previously deemed unscannable, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures. The high cost of PCCT scanners and the need for contrast remain challenges. An editorial on the subject, written by Dr. Arthur Shiyovich, appeared in JACC. Medscape (10/5) Learn More

  • AI savings could prompt reimbursement changes

    Fitch Ratings' Artificial Intelligence Stress Test report suggests that as hospitals lower costs through artificial intelligence in areas such as diagnostics and administrative processing, insurers and policymakers may decide to reprice reimbursement. The report scores healthcare providers below the threshold for negative rating actions and notes that providers might face higher near-term costs as they invest in AI and digital transformation to remain competitive. Becker's Hospital Review (10/5) Learn More


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