FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2017
CONTACT: Colleen Leonard Leyden; Director Corporate Marketing and Public Relations
610-431-5699
colleen.leyden@uphs.upenn.edu
Only hospital in Chester County to receive this distinction
.ashx?h=300&w=300&la=en)
West Chester, PA — The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Chester County Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. The hospital is one of only three in the state of Pennsylvania, and the only hospital in Chester County, to be awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation. The certification is based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to assess, 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. “Chester County Hospital has consistently treated acute myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) with the immediate reopening of blocked clotted arteries in the catheterization laboratory with balloon catheters and stents," notes Timothy J. Boyek, M.D., director, Interventional Cardiology. “This has resulted in more lives saved and rapid early recovery for patients coming to us for care.”
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 Chester County Hospital,” said Abraham Joseph, vice president of ACC Accreditation Services. “We commend the physicians, clinicians and response teams for their commitment in providing our community 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, implementation 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.
“Chester County Hospital’s rich tradition of treating heart disease in the community is made possible by the dedicated heart and vascular care teams who work diligently to provide best practice initiatives in their ongoing commitment to quality,” notes hospital President and CEO Michael J Duncan. “And our partnership with Penn Medicine allows for streamlined access to the #1 ranked Cardiovascular and Heart Surgery Program in the region should patients require specialized care.”