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Kelsey-Seybold Clinic earns national recognition for commitment to improve high blood pressure
The American Heart Association and the American Medical Association announce the 2019 list of physician practices and health systems receiving a Target: BP™ Recognition Award for their commitment to prioritize blood pressure control within the communities they serve
Houston (October 11, 2019) — Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is pleased to be recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) as a leader in the national effort to get patient blood pressure rates under control and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year.
As part of the 2019 Target: BP Recognition Program, AHA and AMA awarded Gold Status to Kelsey-Seybold Clinic—one of just 542 physician practices and health systems to be recognized for achieving blood pressure control rates of 70 percent or more in their adult patient population with high blood pressure. A total of 1,183 physician practices and health systems nationwide were recognized by the program for their commitment to help patients improve blood pressure control. The recognized organizations represent 29.8 million adult patients, with more than 8 million patients diagnosed with hypertension, across 46 states and territories.
Launched in 2015, Target: BP is a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the U.S. The initiative aims to help health care organizations improve blood pressure control rates through use of the AMA's evidence-based M.A.P. quality improvement program and recognizes organizations committed to improving blood pressure control.
"Kelsey-Seybold Clinic has worked diligently over the years to develop processes and programs to help patients improve blood pressure control through treatment, compliance and adherence," said Olethia Chisolm, M.D., Internal Medicine, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Meyerland Plaza. "Receiving this recognition is a great honor and is reflective of Kelsey-Seybold's dedication to improving this essential health indicator, affirming that our physicians are committed to the wellbeing of our patients and to the importance of controlling blood pressure."
There are 116 million U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, the nation's number one risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and less than half have it controlled to target level. Many patients are unaware of the deadly consequences associated with high blood pressure and that it can be managed working in partnership with their physicians to create and follow a treatment plan.
"Although we have the tools to treat high blood pressure, many patients face a variety of barriers that make it difficult to successfully manage the condition. That's why the American Heart Association and American Medical Association created the Target: BP initiative—to bring patients and providers together to get blood pressure successfully under control," said AMA President Patrice A. Harris, M.D., M.A. "We applaud the physicians who are already working hard to control their patients' blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems and patients to join this effort to prioritize the rising risk of high blood pressure and improve health outcomes for patients across the nation."
"Collaboration is key to managing high blood pressure," said AHA President Robert Harrington, MD, FAHA. "When doctors, clinics, patients and organizations like the American Heart Association and American Medical Association are all working toward the same goal, we have the opportunity for great success. We are pleased to be a part of the success of so many practices – and so many patients – in reducing high blood pressure and improving health."
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, along with all other practices and health systems being recognized, will be featured in upcoming Target: BP materials. This includes appearing in national journal ads and on TargetBP.org and being acknowledged at AMA and AHA events throughout the year.
About Kelsey-Seybold
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is Houston's premier multispecialty group practice, founded in 1949 by Dr. Mavis Kelsey in Houston's renowned Texas Medical Center. More than 850 physicians and allied health professionals practice at 40 locations in the Greater Houston area. Kelsey-Seybold offers quality medical care in 65+ medical specialties. The organization operates the largest freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Center in the state of Texas and offers state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam and Varian Edge radiation therapy technology at a nationally accredited Cancer Center. An accredited Sleep Center, comprehensive laboratory services, advanced imaging and diagnostics, 24 onsite Kelsey pharmacies and one specialty pharmacy, and MyKelseyOnline, a secure web portal, are part of its comprehensive offerings. Kelsey-Seybold partners with major insurers to offer value-based commercial health plans. KelseyCare Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan offered to Houston-area beneficiaries and affiliated with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, has achieved the coveted 5-out-of-5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for eight consecutive years.
Kelsey-Seybold has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as the nation’s first accredited Accountable Care Organization and is home to a nationally accredited Breast Diagnostic Center and Endoscopy Center.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 91. NPS is the global standard for measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction. An NPS score of 70 or higher is considered by industry experts to be "world class" and an indicator of overwhelming customer loyalty.