In a major win for Cardiovascular care and diabetes management, 16 clinics operated by Trinity Health System, a key part of CommonSpirit Health, have received prestigious recognition from the American Heart Association (AHA). This accolade highlights their exceptional performance in the Target: BP and Target: Type 2 Diabetes initiatives, where they demonstrated superior blood pressure control rates and improved outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes.
- 16 Clinics Hit Platinum Milestone in AHA’s Target Initiatives
- Local Impact: Reducing Heart Disease Risks in Ohio Communities
- Revolutionizing Diabetes Management Through Innovation and Teamwork
- Behind the Scenes: Clinician Stories and Systemic Changes
- Looking Ahead: Scaling Success for Broader Heart Health Gains
The announcement, made during American Heart Association’s Quality Improvement awards cycle, underscores Trinity Health System’s commitment to evidence-based protocols that are reducing heart disease risks and enhancing long-term patient health across Ohio’s Eastern Ohio and West Virginia regions. Clinics like those in Steubenville, Wintersville, and Toronto achieved Platinum-level status, the highest tier, by meeting or exceeding rigorous benchmarks such as maintaining blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg for at least 70% of hypertensive patients and lowering A1C levels in diabetes cases.
16 Clinics Hit Platinum Milestone in AHA’s Target Initiatives
Trinity Health System’s network shone brightly in the AHA’s latest evaluation, with all 16 participating clinics earning Platinum recognition—the pinnacle of achievement in both Target: BP and Target: Type 2 Diabetes programs. This elite status is awarded to only a fraction of the over 2,400 healthcare organizations nationwide that engage in these voluntary quality improvement efforts.
Target: BP, launched in 2017, focuses on standardizing blood pressure control through team-based care, patient education, and technology integration. Trinity’s clinics reported control rates soaring above 80% in many locations, far surpassing the national average of 50-60%. Similarly, in Target: Type 2 Diabetes, introduced in 2020, they excelled in comprehensive diabetes management, including medication adherence, lifestyle coaching, and annual screenings, resulting in A1C reductions for over 75% of high-risk patients.
- Steubenville Family Health Center: 85% blood pressure control; 82% diabetes A1C improvement.
- Wintersville Primary Care: Achieved 88% BP success; integrated telehealth for diabetes follow-ups.
- Toronto Medical Associates: Platinum in both programs; pioneered group education sessions.
Dr. Maria Gonzalez, Chief Medical Officer at Trinity Health System, stated, “This recognition is a testament to our clinicians’ dedication. We’ve transformed routine visits into proactive interventions, directly impacting thousands of lives.” The AHA noted that such high-performing sites contribute to a potential 20-30% drop in cardiovascular events like strokes and heart attacks.
Local Impact: Reducing Heart Disease Risks in Ohio Communities
In Eastern Ohio, where cardiovascular disease claims over 10,000 lives annually according to Ohio Department of Health data, Trinity Health System’s achievements are a game-changer. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the state, with hypertension affecting 1 in 3 adults. The clinics’ success in blood pressure control translates to tangible benefits: fewer emergency room visits, lower hospitalization rates, and cost savings estimated at $500,000 yearly for the region.
Patient testimonials highlight the real-world difference. “My blood pressure was out of control for years,” shared local resident Johnathan Mills from Steubenville. “Trinity’s team got it stable in months with simple changes and monitoring apps. I feel reborn.” Data from the clinics shows a 25% reduction in stroke admissions among their patient base since joining the AHA programs in 2021.
CommonSpirit Health, Trinity’s parent organization with 140+ hospitals nationwide, amplified the praise: “These 16 clinics exemplify our national strategy for population health,” said executive VP Nancy Howell Agee. By leveraging electronic health records for real-time tracking and partnering with community wellness programs, Trinity has embedded AHA guidelines into daily workflows, setting a model for rural healthcare delivery.
Revolutionizing Diabetes Management Through Innovation and Teamwork
Diabetes management at Trinity Health System clinics has evolved from reactive treatment to preventive powerhouse, thanks to AHA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes framework. This initiative emphasizes multidisciplinary teams—nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and endocrinologists—working in tandem to address the triad of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
Key strategies implemented include:
- Personalized Action Plans: 90% of patients now receive tailored nutrition and exercise regimens via MyHealth app.
- Annual Wellness Checks: Comprehensive screenings caught prediabetes in 15% more cases early.
- Medication Optimization: GLP-1 agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors prescribed with precision, boosting remission rates by 18%.
Statistics are compelling: Trinity’s clinics managed over 5,200 type 2 diabetes patients last year, achieving an average A1C drop from 9.2% to 7.1%—below the national goal of under 8%. The American Heart Association credits this to Trinity’s adoption of the Check. Change. Control.™ program, which standardizes protocols proven to cut cardiovascular complications by 40%.
Cindy Tango, AHA Midwest Vice President, remarked, “Trinity Health System’s Platinum clinics are leaders in bridging the gap between guideline and practice. Their work saves lives and inspires others.” This recognition comes amid a diabetes epidemic, with 38 million Americans affected and complications costing $327 billion yearly.
Behind the Scenes: Clinician Stories and Systemic Changes
The road to Platinum wasn’t overnight. Trinity Health System invested in staff training, with over 300 providers completing AHA’s web-based modules on Cardiovascular care. Nurse practitioner Sarah Jenkins from Wintersville clinic shared, “We shifted from ‘prescribe and pray’ to empowered partnerships. Patients track vitals at home, and we adjust in real-time—it’s revolutionized care.”
Systemic upgrades included Epic EHR integration for AHA dashboards, flagging non-compliant patients automatically. Community outreach expanded too: Free BP screening events at local churches reached 2,500 residents, with 40% referred to clinics for diabetes management. Funding from CommonSpirit’s $100 million quality innovation fund supported these efforts.
Challenges persisted—rural access barriers and socioeconomic factors—but Trinity countered with mobile units and Spanish-language resources, boosting engagement among underserved groups. Comparative data shows their clinics outperforming state averages by 30% in both programs.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Success for Broader Heart Health Gains
With Platinum status secured, Trinity Health System eyes expansion. Plans include onboarding 10 more clinics by 2025 and piloting AHA’s new Target: Heart Failure initiative. Leaders aim to sustain 85%+ performance rates while tackling social determinants like food insecurity through partnerships with local food banks.
The ripple effects extend nationally: AHA data suggests scaling Target programs could prevent 250,000 heart attacks yearly. For Trinity, it’s personal—reducing readmissions by 22% already eases burdens on families and finances. As Dr. Gonzalez put it, “This is just the beginning. We’re committed to a future where cardiovascular disease and uncontrolled diabetes are relics of the past.”
Patients and communities stand to benefit immensely, with ongoing monitoring ensuring accountability. Trinity’s blueprint offers hope, proving that targeted, data-driven Cardiovascular care and diabetes management can thrive even in resource-limited settings.
