HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has been recognized with the American College of Cardiology’s 3-Star PCI Award, a national distinction recognizing hospitals that demonstrate excellence in the quality and safety of percutaneous coronary intervention, commonly known as coronary angioplasty.
- The award recognizes cardiovascular programs that consistently meet or exceed national standards for evidence-based care, patient safety and clinical outcomes.
The designation is based on performance data submitted through the ACC CathPCI Registry, one of the nation’s leading quality improvement programs for cardiovascular care. The ACC evaluates programs using nationally recognized performance measures that assess risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality, appropriate use of procedures and adherence to evidence-based practices before, during and after the procedures.
“This recognition reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional cardiovascular care to every patient who entrusts us with their health,” said KC Donahey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “Our physicians, nurses and colleagues work together every day to provide safe, high-quality, evidence-based care for patients experiencing serious heart conditions.”
Dr. John Dudley, an interventional cardiologist at the hospital, said every minute counts when treating patients with blocked coronary arteries.
- “Receiving this recognition from the American College of Cardiology reflects our team’s commitment to delivering timely, evidence-based care while continuously measuring and improving our outcomes,” Dudley said. “Most importantly, it represents better care and better outcomes for the patients and families we serve.”
Dudley said the achievement belongs to the full team.
“When I look at our 3-star PCI rating, I don’t see an award — I see the people behind it,” he said. “I see a team that shows up every day committed to giving our patients the very best care we can. That’s what I’m most proud of.”
“From the beginning, my goal has been to build a catheterization lab where excellence is the standard,” Dudley said. “No physician achieves a 3-star program alone. It takes trust, preparation, accountability, and a group of people who genuinely care about one another and about the patients who place their lives in our hands.”
Looking ahead, Dudley said the team’s best work is still to come.
“What excites me most isn’t what we’ve already accomplished, it’s what comes next,” he said. “Healthcare continues to evolve, and our responsibility is to keep pushing ourselves to raise the bar. If we stay committed to putting patients first and never become satisfied with where we are today, I believe our best work is still ahead of us.”
Dr. Anthony Al-Dehney, also a cardiologist at the hospital, said the program has been built over time with a focus on outcomes.
- “Over the years, we strive building a very strong cardiovascular program, delivering high-quality care with great outcomes to our community and patients,” Al-Dehney said. “For the future, we will continue relentless pursuit of excellence to provide the best care for our patients.”
A celebration was held July 9 at the hospital’s Cath Lab with Dudley, his team and hospital leadership.
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the state’s largest cardiovascular network, which connects patients to heart, lung and vascular treatments and services.
