Seven Sanford Health Hospitals Earned Heart Care Awards
The awards reflect how these facilities met national standards for treating heart attack patients.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Heart Disease
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Seven Sanford Health hospitals recently earned recognition from the American College of Cardiology for their high-quality care. These facilities were honored for following standardized clinical guidelines meant to improve recovery for the approximately 800,000 Americans who experience a heart attack each year.
Why it matters
Adhering to evidence-based treatment protocols is essential for patients with coronary artery disease. These guidelines help ensure that medical teams provide consistent, science-backed interventions during the critical moments of a cardiac event.
The awards were based on performance data in the NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry, which tracks adherence to clinical guidelines. Across 2024 and 2025, six Sanford Health facilities achieved the platinum designation, while one facility earned a silver achievement award.
The players
Sanford Health
A health system providing comprehensive cardiac care and emergency medical services across the Midwest.
American College of Cardiology
A professional medical society that promotes heart health and sets clinical standards for cardiovascular treatment.
American Heart Association
A national organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke through science-based guidelines.
The details
Participating hospitals in the registry use performance data to measure their compliance with care protocols established by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. This data-driven approach ensures that care teams consistently apply standardized treatments for coronary artery disease. By benchmarking their processes against national requirements, hospitals aim to minimize variability in treatment, which helps maintain higher standards of care for patients arriving with cardiac emergencies.
Timeline
2024 was the first year of the performance data evaluation period.
2025 marked the conclusion of the performance data evaluation period.
Health Landscape
These awards reflect a broader shift toward using standardized registry data to improve the quality of acute cardiac care. By participating in the NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry, hospitals are integrating national performance benchmarks into their local clinical operations.
Patients with a history of heart disease should feel comfortable asking their care providers how their hospital participates in national quality registries. Knowing that a facility adheres to standardized clinical guidelines can be a valuable factor when discussing treatment options with your doctor.
The takeaway
Registry awards are one way hospitals demonstrate a commitment to rigorous, evidence-based heart care protocols. If you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, consider asking your physician about the clinical guidelines used at your local hospital to manage cardiac health.
Further reading
For more information on how medical teams optimize cardiac outcomes, visit Heart Disease.
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