FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Colleen Leonard Leyden; Director Corporate Marketing and Public Relations
Chester County Hospital
606 E. Marshall St., Suite 203
West Chester, PA 19380
610-431-5699
colleen.leyden@uphs.upenn.edu
(West Chester, PA) ― The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Chester County Hospital for its demonstrated commitment to comprehensive, high-quality culture and cardiovascular care. Chester County Hospital was awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence in August based on meeting accreditation criteria, and through their ongoing performance registry reporting. Chester County Hospital was one of the first four hospitals in the country to receive such a distinction.
Hospitals and health systems that have earned an ACC HeartCARE Center designation have met a set of criteria, including participating in at least two ACC Accreditation Services programs, National Cardiovascular Data Registries and targeted quality improvement campaigns, such as Patient Navigator Program: Focus MI, that are designed to help hospitals and institutions close gaps in guideline-based care. In addition to Chester County Hospital’s Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) and Resuscitation, the hospital recently earned the ACC Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI. ACC has recognized the hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to a cardiac cath lab for care, including diagnostic catheterizations and PCI procedures. Chester County Hospital was awarded Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the cardiac cath lab.
"These honors are a testament to the team’s diligence to continuously improving quality, safety and outcomes of cardiovascular care and PCI procedures while advancing all aspects of treatment for patients and their families,"; said Timothy J. Boyek, MD, Medical Director of Cardiac Diagnostic Interventional Catheterization Laboratories.
Chester County Hospital's HeartCARE Center designation is a result of its consistent high-quality cardiovascular care through comprehensive process improvement, disease and procedure-specific accreditation, professional excellence, and community engagement. The honor highlights the hospital's outstanding commitment to quality for their patients, providers and stakeholders."
"With this new designation, hospitals and health systems can now showcase their elite status and publicly highlight their outstanding commitment to quality for their patients, providers and other stakeholders. Chester County Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing West Chester, PA and the surrounding 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 Chester County Hospital with the HeartCARE Center designation."
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. "Time is muscle", Boyek explains."Most of the damage to the heart muscle occurs within the first two hours."
Boyek says that taking the proper action during this time is crucial. That's why, at the first signs of a heart attack, patients and/or their loved ones should call 9-1-1. "This one call triggers a coordinated effort that starts with our local Emergency Management Service providers who can begin treatment while transporting patients on the way to the Emergency Department. The sooner a blocked artery can be opened the potential for less heart muscle damage. Chester County Hospital's HeartCARE Center designation recognizes this coordination in care and the impact it has on our community."
Chester County Hospital offers a comprehensive collection of integrated services designed for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart and vascular conditions. These designations, in conjunction with the hospital's specialized programs, resources and facilities, make the hospital one of the region's top destinations for cardiovascular care. In 2020, the hospital will further expand its cardiovascular capabilities even more with a state-of-the-art procedural platform. The platform will be complete with 15 operating rooms, three high-tech labs for cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology and hybrid operating suites that will deliver the space and technology for even the most complex medical cases.
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About Chester County Hospital
Founded in 1892 as the county's first hospital, the non-profit has grown into a 248-bed acute-care inpatient facility in West Chester, PA. It also has outpatient services in Exton, PA; West Goshen, PA; New Garden, PA; West Grove, PA: Jennersville, PA and Kennett Square, PA. In 2013, Chester County Hospital became part of Penn Medicine, which is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to medical education, biomedical research, and excellent patient care. In addition to quality-driven medical and surgical services, Chester County Hospital also offers home health, inpatient hospice and skilled nursing care; occupational medicine; outpatient laboratory, radiology and physical therapy services; wound care; cardiopulmonary rehab; and a prenatal clinic for the under-served. In 2020, Chester County Hospital will complete the largest expansion in its history. The project will welcome a state-of-the-art procedural platform with 15 operating room suites, a 99-bed patient tower, a new main entrance and an expanded and renovated Emergency Department. Learn More!
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.
Related Information from Chester County Hospital: