and coordination to substantially impact their door-to-balloon times, and thus, improve patient outcomes. The hospital to Home initiative, led by both the American College of Cardiology and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, is a national quality improvement campaign to reduce cardiovascular-related hospital rehospitalizations and improve the transition from inpatient to outpatient status for individuals hospitalized with cardiovascular disease. Launched in 2009, it seeks to examine and address readmission problems. Imaging in FOCUS is a community designed to guide implementation of appropriate use criteria and ensure patients are receiving the right care at the right time; the initiative has produced innovations such as pocket cards and mobile applications; access to an online community; and access to webinars, educational programs and performance improvement tools. Education and Advocacy The American College of Cardiology Foundation offers a variety of educational programs and products tailored to the needs of clinicians in a variety of specialty areas at all stages of their careers. The college also advocates for health policies that allow cardiovascular professionals to provide quality, appropriate and cost-effective care on such issues as Medicare physician payment, medical imaging, health care reform implementation, medical liability reform and funding for prevention and research. The college is also active on policies that address non-communicable diseases. The college also publishes a peer reviewed scientific journal Journal of the American College of Cardiology with a high Impact factor. The College organizes an annual conference for each year for sharing the latest research in the field of Cardiology. The college cancelled its flagship conference for the first time since inception of the college for the year 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. See also American Heart Association References External links ACC Homepage Medical associations based in the United States Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C. Scientific organizations established in 1949 Medical and health organizations based in Washington, D.C. Heart disease organizations