The American College of Cardiology has recognized Twin County Regional Healthcare for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain.
Twin County Regional Healthcare was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation in November 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.
Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. 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.
“Twin County Regional Healthcare has demonstrated its commitment to providing the 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 Twin County Regional Healthcare Chest Pain Center Accreditation.”
Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center 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 hard work and dedication from the TCRH employees, emergency department staff and emergency medical services to achieve this approval is evident in the data presented to the society,” Gregory Pearson, Chief Executive Officer at TCRH, said. “We have seen a remarkable reduction in the time the community responds to chest pain episodes. The improved processes from within the ED and the EMS systems have resulted in evidence-based and quality care for our Acute Coronary Syndrome patients. We look forward to continued collaboration and contributions to the care of our residents.”
“The goals of our Chest Pain Center is to collaborate with our EMS partners and with our community in the prevention of cardiovascular disease through early heart attack education (EHAC), Hands-Only CPR education, and identifying those at risk for development of coronary artery disease,” said Deborah Greer, BSN, RN, CEN, CCCC, Chest Pain Coordinator at Twin County Regional Hospital. “We bring science to the bedside for the care of the Acute Coronary Syndrome patient by providing evidence-based care to those with coronary artery disease and potentially life-altering cardiac emergencies.”
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Twin County Regional Healthcare access to a comprehensive suite of 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.
