Pilot Program, Limited to Founding Institutions, Lays the Foundation for Nationwide Expansion
The PERT Consortium™, the leading non-profit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) through research, education, and collaboration, has successfully completed its pilot program for the PE Centers of Excellence (CoE) Initiative. Launched in the summer of 2024, this program was designed as an accreditation initiative to enhance the treatment of PE patients.
The pilot phase was intentionally limited to a select group of The PERT Consortium™ founding institutions, allowing for a focused and rigorous assessment of program criteria, standards, and impact. These pioneering institutions played a crucial role in shaping the full-scale launch of the accreditation framework, ensuring that future participating hospitals will benefit from a well-structured and evidence-based program.
Pilot Program Institutions Receive Accreditation
Four prestigious medical centers that participated in the pilot phase have now officially received accreditation as PERT Centers of Excellence:
- Methodist Hospital, San Antonio, TX
- Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
- Oklahoma Heart Institute, Oklahoma City, OK
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
These institutions successfully completed a rigorous application and evaluation process, demonstrating their commitment to providing exceptional, evidence-based care for PE patients.
Addressing the Complexities of PE Diagnosis and Treatment
Pulmonary embolism presents unique challenges due to its wide spectrum of severity, from mild cases to life-threatening events. Many PE patients first enter the medical system through emergency departments, where rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical yet often hindered by overlapping symptoms, imaging limitations, and varying levels of provider experience. Even after diagnosis, patient care remains complex, requiring careful management of co-morbidities, treatment decisions, and long-term monitoring to prevent recurrence.
“The PE patient experience is more of a journey than a one-time cure,” said Steven Pugliese, M.D., Co-Director of the PERT Center of Excellence Program. “Effective PE management requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates early and accurate diagnosis, safe and tailored treatment strategies, and continuous patient monitoring. The CoE Program ensures that accredited institutions are fully equipped to provide this level of comprehensive care.”
Expanding Access to PE Expertise
With the completion of the pilot phase, the CoE Initiative is now open to hospitals and medical centers nationwide. Participation and accreditation in the PE CoE Program afford institutions recognition as leaders and experts in treating and managing PE throughout the US health and medical ecosystem. All accredited institutions will be able to offer their patients the most current medications, care teams knowledgeable in all the medical disciplines involved in PE treatment, and innovative approaches to improving patient outcomes.
"We all want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. This process brought everyone together, uniting us in a shared goal and collective effort,” said Charles J. Burch, M.D., PERT Director, Pulmonary/Critical Care
Methodist Hospital, San Antonio, TX, "Excellence isn’t achieved alone, takes a team of experts to evaluate and refine every process. This accreditation has become a source of pride for our institution. We took on the challenge, improved our approach, and strengthened our commitment to excellence. It has truly been the highlight of our year.”
For more information about the PERT Centers of Excellence program, including the application process, please visit pertconsortium.org.
About The PERT Consortium™
The PERT Consortium™ is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the care and treatment of PE through research, education, and collaboration. The Consortium supports the establishment of multidisciplinary PERT teams, promotes clinical guidelines, and raises awareness to ensure that all PE patients receive the highest standard of care.
About Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to an artery in the lung. In most cases, these clots originate in the deep veins of the leg (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) and travel to the lungs. If untreated, PE can be life-threatening, but early diagnosis and prompt treatment significantly reduce the risk of death. Preventative measures, including lifestyle changes and anticoagulation therapy, play a critical role in mitigating PE risk.
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Contacts
Media:
Paul Kidwell, The PERT Consortium™ paulkidwellbos@gmail.com, 617-680-1088