Harrison Memorial Hospital Receives ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation
The American College of Cardiology has recognized Harrison Memorial Hospital (HMH) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. HMH was awarded Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation in August based on a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.
Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year. As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, they have streamlined their systems from admission to evaluation to diagnosis and treatment all the way through to appropriate post-discharge care and recommendations and assistance in patient lifestyle changes. In addition, they have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI.
“Harrison Memorial Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing its community with excellent heart care,” said Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Harrison Memorial Hospital with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”
Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves: completing a gap analysis; examining variances of care, developing an action plan; a rigorous onsite review; and monitoring for sustained success. Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing of guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like HMH access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including emergency treatment of heart attacks.
“With the achievement of the ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation, it demonstrates the commitment of HMH and its staff to providing the highest quality and timely care for patients with heart disease, says Sheila Currans, HMH Chief Executive Officer. “The process of accreditation further educated staff and community members on heart disease and chest pain awareness.”
HMH offers a full service line of cardiac procedures and diagnostic tests. HMH has a full-service interventional cardiac catherization lab, complete with stents for cardiac patients and peripheral studies. In addition, HMH cardiologists perform procedures to implant pacemakers, defibrillators and biventricular defibrillators. HMH has two cardiologists on staff, Dr. Matthew Shotwell, who specializes in interventional cardiology, and Dr. B.K. Srivastava, who specializes in diagnostic cardiology.
For more information on cardiac services offered at HMH, please visit the website at harrisonmemhosp.com.
About Harrison Memorial Hospital
Harrison Memorial Hospital, located in Cynthiana, KY, is a community-owned, not-for-profit, 61-bed hospital, established in 1906. It offers a full range of services and an exceptional staff. HMH has an outstanding 19-member active medical staff, with more than 100 physicians on its consulting medical staff. Harrison Memorial is considered by its peers as a progressive entity in rural health.
About the American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology is the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team. The mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College operates national registries to measure and improve care, offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions, provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet stringent qualifications.