This section explains the process and criteria to be recongnized by the HCMA as a Center of Excellence.

HCM Centers of Excellence as recognized by the HCMA.

This data is designed to explain the “center of excellence” model and criteria.

Each program must adhere to the following principles prior to recognition by the HCMA:

·         Demonstration of state-of-the-art prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HCM impacting significant numbers of HCM patients;

·         Substantial basic and clinical research resulting in new knowledge of HCM and presentations of center research in leading publications and presentations;

·         Multidisciplinary HCM investigations and care involving teams from multiple departments or specialties;

·         Translational HCM contributions demonstrated by participation in national and international invitational conferences and study groups;

·         Substantial institutional support indicated by prominent designation of the HCM program within the facility and on the internet.

·         National and international recognition of ongoing quality program activities by HCM advocacy organizations, scientific experts, and patient/caregivers;

·         Program growth and expansion as measured by a growing HCM patient base, contributions to multi-site collaborations, and funding of center programs;

·         Development of new investigators and clinicians to ensure continued increases in the capacity of skilled HCM specialists;

·         Expanded education of heath professionals and the general public including HCM courses, workshops, and specialist appearances in the popular press and radio/TV

·         What services should and HCM Center of Excellence provide?  Adult cardiology, cardiac imaging both echocardiography and magnetic resonance imagining, electrophysiology, cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology, genetic services, pediatric cardiology, pediatric electrophysiology, a specific clinic with a focus on HCM and support staff for the program.

How does a Center apply to be recognized by the HCMA?

Program seeking to be recognized by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association as HCM centers of excellence must submit the following information to the HCMA for review. Data can be submitted by email, fax or mail.  Support@4hcm.org, fax 973-983-7870 HCMA PO Box 306 Hibernia NJ 07842

1.     Complete the form on this page entitled “HCM Center of Excellence recognition form”

2.     Name(s) of director/co-director of the program and their curriculum vitae.

3.     A list of all physicians within the HCM program and their curriculum vitae.

4.     A list of services offered by your HCM program, include referral arrangements for services not available at your center.

5.     A list of support staff, (including physician assistant, nurses, technicians and administrative support) please include, position/title, name of staffer, and indicate if it is a full time or part time position.

6.     Copies of all recent journal articles and abstracts published by your center and participating physicians

7.     List of IRB approved HCM research programs, please include copies of protocols and consent forms.

8.     Business plan, if available – sample available from HCMA upon request.

9.     Web address for HCM Center, if applicable.

After receipt and review of this information by the HCMA, a conference call will be arranged between the Chief Executive Officer of the HCMA and your Director/Co-Director. 

Please be advised of the criteria necessary in order to be recognized by the HCMA as an HCM Center of Excellence:

1.     Strict adherence to the ACC/ESC Consensus Document on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or updates to this article as they become available.

2.     Attendance by three or more members of the HCM Program team at the International Summit on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy to be held in October, 2009 in Minneapolis, MN (and every 3 years thereafter)

3.     Provide HCM families with HCMA literature.

4.     Participation in the HCMA Annual Meeting held the last weekend in May in northern NJ.

5.     Continued commitment to quality HCM research and collaboration with sister Centers of Excellence.

6.     Work with the HCMA to raise awareness about HCM within your geographic region

7.     Links to the HCMA website on your institution’s website

Effective February 2009 the HCMA will be using a ranking system to assist patients in better understanding each centers program.

The HCMA has implemented the ranking to assist patients and families in making choices that are best for their situation.  The HCMA does not endorse and specific program and make no guarantee about the service provided.

Just as HCM is a variable condition HCM Centers are also highly variable in services and experience level. Some programs have decades of experience, strong surgical programs, extensive publications in scientific literature, and teams of subspecialists specifically dedicated to HCM and extensive outreach programs.  Other programs may be newer, referrer and out for surgery, referred to subspecialists who were not part of the HCM team, have limited scientific publications and limited community outreach. 

Some programs are run by cardiologists who specialize in cardiac imaging and in the view of the HCMA and is the preferred subspecialty to have as the director of HCM program.  This does not mean however that programs run by other subspecialties do not provide quality care or are not considered for HCMA recognition. 

HCM programs performing high volumes of surgeries per year are preferred over programs performing infrequent surgeries. However, some programs refer to centers on a regular basis where high volumes surgeries are preformed and this is taking into consideration during the evaluation process.

In an effort to help patients better understand the HCM program that they are considering for their care a new rating system will be given.

Most Preferred – Contains all elements suggested by the HCMA and has years of experience and a long track record of success.

Preferred – Contains all elements suggested by the HCMA and a track record of success.

Recognized – Contains most if not all the elements suggested by the HCMA and had proven to provide quality care.

Newly Recognized – Contains most if not all the elements suggested by the HCMA and has been known the HCMA for under 3 years.

Under review: Are working with the HCMA to build a new HCM Center of Excellence.

Each program needs to be evaluated on its own merits and balanced against the needs of the individual patient or family.

The HCMA offers these rankings as a guide to assist you in choosing the program that best fits your needs.  The HCMA makes no guarantees about the services rendered within the center or the quality of care each individual will receive. Further the HCMA does not advocate for substituting the care of a local cardiologist for the care at a Center of Excellence, but rather that your local cardiologist work in cooperation with the Center of Excellence to ensure you are receiving the highest quality of care possible.