Flagler County hospitals earn national recognition as NBCA Centers of Excellence for VTE Care and Prevention

Two Flagler County hospitals have been nationally recognized for their commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway were designated as Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Centers of Excellence™ by the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA).

They are the first health care facilities in the AdventHealth system, and the first in Central and Northeast Florida, to receive this national recognition.

Blood clots can be life-threatening. Each year, they affect up to 900,000 people in the United States and are responsible for as many as 100,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This underdiagnosed, undertreated disease process remains a significant public health concern in the United States. Many of these cases can be prevented with the right care.

As National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) VTE Centers of Excellence™, both AdventHealth Flagler County hospitals join a growing network of leading institutions recognized for advancing VTE care through clinical excellence, innovation, and a commitment to education and prevention. AdventHealth is partnering with institutions embracing innovative, evidence-based, and patient-focused strategies to prevent and treat VTE.

“Our goal is simple: to catch blood clots early, treat them quickly, and prevent them when we can,” said Dr. Ark Kheyfits, interventional radiologist and radiology leader at AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway. “That takes every department working together, and I’m proud of how we’ve made that the standard here. We don’t take shortcuts when it comes to saving lives.”

To earn this designation, the hospitals had to meet stringent national standards for how they care for patients with – or at risk for – blood clots. That includes quick diagnosis, seamless coordination between teams, and a strong focus on safety after patients go home.

“NBCA VTE Centers of Excellence™ are setting a new standard in how we approach VTE, from acute management to long-term prevention,” said Erin VanDyke, PA-C, Vice President of the NBCA COE Program. “The teams at AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway exemplify the mission of this program through their multidisciplinary collaboration, dedication to best practices, and focus on patient outcomes.”

Established in 2003, NBCA is the nation’s leading nonprofit, patient advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of life-threatening blood clots.

Through a strategic focus on education, advocacy, and research, NBCA empowers patients and families, supports healthcare professionals, and drives national efforts to improve awareness, detection, and outcomes related to VTE.

For Flagler County residents, the new partnership between NBCA and AdventHealth hospitals offers even greater confidence in accessing high-quality VTE care close to home.