Media Release - ACC Accreditation
9/7/2017
Crestwood Medical Center Receives ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation
Crestwood provides necessary care, resources to patients with heart attack symptoms
The American College of Cardiology has recognized Crestwood Medical Center for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Crestwood Medical Center was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation based on 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 and Resuscitation 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 comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols and are equipped with a robust hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest treatment. These facilities also maintain a "No Diversion Policy" for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.
“ACC Accreditation Services is proud to bestow Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation on Crestwood Medical Center,” said Abraham Joseph, vice president of ACC Accreditation Services. “We commend Crestwood for its demonstrated commitment to providing the North Alabama area with excellent cardiac care.”
Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation 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.
“Our team has worked hard to streamline our processes to make sure that we are providing appropriate treatment for patients as quickly as possible, said Rhonda Buckley, Director of Emergency Services at Crestwood. “Time is muscle. The quicker we can open blood vessels to oxygenate the heart, the better the outcome; not only saving a life but also improving the quality of life after a cardiac event.”
The ACC and American Heart Association are collaborating to offer U.S. hospitals like Crestwood Medical Center access to a comprehensive suite of co-branded cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including emergency treatment of heart attacks.
About Crestwood Medical Center
Crestwood Medical Center is a community healthcare provider with a 180-bed full-service acute care hospital offering the latest medical advancements and surgical and diagnostic procedures while providing compassionate care. For more information about Crestwood Medical Center, please visit CRESTWOODMEDCENTER.COM.
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.
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