What’s the Big Deal with ACHA ACHD Accreditation?

When I accepted the University of Iowa Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) nurse coordinator position, it was the expectation our program would become accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA). “Sure, no big deal,” I thought.

Guys, that was four years ago! Four years of fostering relationships with other multidisciplinary teams, developing policies and procedures, and filling positions to properly deliver excellent patient-centered care. But we did it!

When we started our accreditation journey and were pouring through the policy development expectations, we quickly learned we needed to “up our game.” But where do we start? How do we even begin to climb this mountain of excellence?

We opted to phone a friend.

Networking with other institutions is critical in improving patient-centered care and was essential in beginning our accreditation voyage. Sharing and discussing how other institutional policies were developed helped us create a plan to nurture our own policy development with patient-centered care at the core of our purpose. Those interactions were priceless!

Our journey started with personnel. The accreditation criteria requirements include a minimum of two ACHD cardiologists, an advanced practice nurse or physician assistant, a registered nurse, two congenital heart disease surgeons, and a heart failure cardiologist to be on your ACHD team. Not to mention congenital heart interventionalists and electrophysiologists, imaging radiologists experienced in CHD, access to mental health services and a social worker dedicated to the ACHD population.

Well, the term “it takes a village” is a true statement. So many key staff positions must be in place to achieve a proficient program—which brings me to my next pearl of wisdom. It is important to have institutional support. Discussions with leadership are essential to ensure appropriate staffing is secured to provide quality care at the level of attaining accreditation. Start these discussions early and be persistent.

Then we tackled the task to ensure policies are in place to ensure safe and appropriate inpatient and outpatient care, including education for nurses to guarantee quality and high-level standards of care. Planning policies to educate our pediatric patient population and transitioning them to adulthood was next. This is such an important piece of an ACHD program. A transition nurse who is dedicated to this task is essential.

Providing educational information to empower patients and family members is at the center of ACHD accreditation. Knowledge is power, as they say. Understanding the disease process encourages patients to continue their lifelong care with an accredited ACHD program and improves quality of life.

We were lucky to have an amazing exercise physiology laboratory team, imaging cardiologists, and radiologists currently in place prior to seeking accreditation for our ACHD population. On to building a strong reproductive services program! More and more adults with congenital heart disease are wanting to create families of their own. I am proud to say we have built strong relationships with our high-risk obstetric team, with monthly multidisciplinary meetings including cardiac anesthesia and delivery plans for each and every pregnancy.

ACHA is a leader in promoting patient-centered care and stresses patient involvement in patient and family advisory committees. Empowering ACHD patients is a priority. Creating opportunities for patients to get involved and learn can be a fun part of your program development while providing an essential service.

One opportunity we have provided to our ACHD community is providing an educational conference for our teenagers and adults with congenital heart disease. They spend the day listening to a guest speaker, choosing break-out sessions to attend and end the day in camaraderie, meeting and chatting with other patients with congenital heart disease.

We have also provided an opportunity for patients to attend a health fair with informational booths, including a 1-2 mile walk to encourage healthy lifestyles. ACHA offers educational assistance by creating opportunities to educate patients through their Virtual Conversations. This was very popular in Iowa! This is a great option during the pandemic.

As you can see, the accreditation process is extremely rigorous and is not for those who lack commitment. The criteria create an elevation in the level of care and services, thereby improving standards of care. But as an adult with congenital heart disease, isn’t this the care you want to receive? The University of Iowa ACHD program is so very proud to become an ACHA accredited ACHD program and looks forward to the continued pursuit of excellence to serve the ACHD community.