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VHAC Participation Framework

A diverse (white, black, hispanic, indian, etc.) group of cardiologists, nurses, EMS perso

Advancing Compliance and Quality Across the Commonwealth

The Virginia Heart Attack Coalition (VHAC) operates under the Commonwealth Standard for Cardiac Catheterization Services (12VAC5-230-420) — the section of the Virginia Administrative Code that defines the minimum quality, procedural, and operational expectations for cardiac programs throughout Virginia.

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This standard requires that all hospitals providing interventional or diagnostic cardiac services maintain continuous participation in quality improvement processes and demonstrate adherence to nationally recognized benchmarks for patient safety, outcomes, and access.

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VHAC’s participation framework is designed to support and operationalize this statewide expectation.


Through shared data, regional collaboration, and structured education, VHAC provides the mechanisms for every cardiac program and partner organization to meet — and exceed — these requirements in a coordinated, transparent, and sustainable way.

Participation Levels

To accommodate differences in resources, size, and registry access, VHAC offers structured levels of engagement.

Each level provides a pathway for organizations and individuals to contribute meaningfully to statewide improvement efforts.

Data-Submitting Hospitals

Who qualifies: Hospitals or health systems that maintain an active membership with the Virginia Cardiac Services Quality Initiative (VCSQI), submit data to the VCSQI database and associated national or state registries (e.g., NCDR, CPMI, or other recognized sources), and actively engage in VHAC activities.

 

Expectations:

  • ≥ 75% of Steering Committee meetings

  • Regional meetings: ≥ 75% attendance

  • Participation in ≥ 1 VHAC workgroup or project annually

  • Data sharing via VCSQI database

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Benefits:

  • Benchmark and statewide reports

  • Custom analytics and comparative dashboards

  • Eligibility for pilot projects and peer learning sessions

  • Recognition at statewide meetings

Supporting Hospitals (Non–Data Submitting)

Who qualifies: Hospitals or health systems that do not submit registry data but contribute to VHAC through meeting attendance, collaboration, or project involvement.

 

​Expectations:

  • Statewide meetings: ≥ 75% attendance

  • Regional meetings: ≥ 75% attendance

  • Participation in ≥ 1 VHAC project or initiative annually

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Benefits:

  • Access to statewide toolkits and education resources

  • Inclusion in regional strategy and data literacy training

  • Opportunities to collaborate in shared improvement projects

EMS Agencies

Who qualifies:
Ground or air medical services collaborating with hospitals to improve prehospital cardiac care pathways.

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Expectations:

  • Representation in ≥ 75% of statewide meetings (direct or by regional delegate)

  • ≥ 75% attendance in regional coordination meetings

  • Participation in ≥ 1 VHAC-supported initiative (e.g., ECG education, ED bypass, or thrombolytic program)

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Benefits:

  • Access to protocol templates and simulation drills

  • Regional action-planning support

  • Inclusion in statewide data feedback loops

Individual Participants

Who qualifies:
Clinicians, administrators, quality leaders, and allied health professionals who actively participating in workgroups, education sessions, and collaborative projects independently of an organizational designation.

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Expectations:

  • ≥ 75% attendance in assigned statewide or regional meetings

  • Participation in ≥ 1 workgroup or initiative per year

 

Benefits:

  • Access to VHAC toolkits, learning collaboratives, and peer exchange

  • CME/CEU credits (when available)

  • Eligibility for recognition in annual reports

Participation Expectations  (At a Glance)

Image by STEPHEN POORE

Recognition and Accountability

Participation is reviewed annually through a structured review of attendance, project engagement, and data contribution.


Active centers and agencies are recognized in VHAC publications, statewide meetings, and the public roster of Participating Centers.

Commonwealth Alignment

Regulatory Reference:

Virginia Administrative Code — 12VAC5-230-420: Cardiac Catheterization Services

 

This section establishes Virginia’s statewide quality and operational standards for cardiac catheterization programs, including requirements for:

  • Qualified operators and appropriate staffing

  • Minimum procedural volumes

  • Emergency preparedness and system integration

  • Participation in continuous quality improvement

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VHAC’s framework is designed to help all centers demonstrate and sustain alignment with these requirements through collaboration, transparency, and measurable improvement.

Get Started

  1. Create a VHAC account or log in to your existing profile.

  2. Select your participation level (Hospital (data/no data, EMS, or Individual).

  3. Join a workgroup aligned with your clinical or operational role.

  4. Document quarterly activities or “micro-wins” through the portal.

  5. Track your impact through dashboards and reports.

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