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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.

  • Hand hygiene may not affect MDRO detection in hospitals

    A study in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that improved hand hygiene did not affect the detection of multidrug-resistant organisms in hospitals. The study, which used an electronic monitoring system to track hand hygiene, noted a rise in adherence from 41% to 57%, with 1,847 detections of MDROs. "The interplay between hand hygiene, infection prevention efforts, and MDRO acquisition is complex, and an absence of proof does not negate the importance of hand hygiene," researchers wrote. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (8/27) Learn More

  • Weight loss during HF hospitalization lowers readmissions

    A study in the journal Heart found that patients hospitalized for heart failure who lose at least 2 kilograms during their stay, primarily through intravenous loop diuretics, had a lower risk of rehospitalization within 30 days. The analysis of data for nearly 5,000 patients indicates that weight loss is associated with a 41% reduction in the risk of heart failure rehospitalization within 30 days. Medscape (8/27) Learn More

  • AI system helps hospitals catch patient declines early

    RWJBarnabas Health, in collaboration with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, has implemented an AI-powered early-warning system to improve patient care by identifying high-risk patients earlier. The system, which uses the Epic Deterioration Index, analyzes patient data every 15 minutes to alert staff to potential declines, leading to improved survival rates. The study, published in NEJM AI, shows the system's effectiveness across a diverse patient population, though challenges like alert fatigue remain. Chief Healthcare Executive (8/27) Learn More

  • US flu, pneumonia death rates decline 29.2%

    Between 1999 and 2023, the US experienced a 29.2% decrease in the age-adjusted death rate from influenza and pneumonia, with fatalities dropping from 63,006 to 44,625. The decline, attributed to improvements in respiratory disease prevention and public health infrastructure, was consistent across most groups, though adults ages 55 to 64 saw a statistically significant rise in crude death rates. Men consistently had higher death rates than women, while Black adults achieved the largest relative reduction over the period. Rural areas continued to see higher death rates compared with metropolitan regions. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (8/26) Learn More

  • Poll: Social media, not AI, drives medical misinformation

    A recent survey by The Physician's Foundation reveals that social media, influencers and news coverage are the primary sources of medical misinformation, rather than AI chatbots. Physicians report that misinformation significantly impacts patient care, increasing anxiety and leading to nonadherence to treatment plans. Despite these challenges, most physicians feel confident in their ability to correct misinformation, although they face time constraints during consultations. TechTarget (8/31) Learn More

  • Digital strategy boosts SGLT2 inhibitor use by HF patients

    A digital strategy involving emailed invitations for patients with heart failure to consult specialists about SGLT2 inhibitors significantly increased prescription of the drugs, according to a study outlined at the European Society of Cardiology Congress. The strategy led to a 128% increase in SGLT2 inhibitor uptake compared to usual care, with no difference in severe adverse events. "This could provide a new pathway for timely implementation of evidence-based therapies in routine clinical care, also beyond heart failure," said researcher Dr. Mariam Elmegaard. Healio (free registration) (8/30) Learn More

  • AI adoption in hospitals outpaces governance, testing

    Health systems are rapidly adopting AI tools, but a new report by UPMC's Center for Connected Medicine and KLAS Research highlights a significant gap in governance and testing infrastructure. Less than half of hospitals have dedicated environments for testing AI before deployment, leading to potential inefficiencies and unmet expectations. UPMC has developed the Ahavi platform to validate AI tools with de-identified patient data, but ongoing monitoring and governance remain crucial. Experts emphasize the need for consistent evaluation standards to ensure AI tools are effective and equitable. MedCity News (8/30) Learn More

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