Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital has been recognized by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for its expertise and ongoing commitment to treating patients who are experiencing chest pain by being awarded “Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI.”
This achievement was officially presented to Blount Memorial in January, following a rigorous onsite evaluation of the hospital staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as angioplasty or coronary angioplasty, is a procedure that opens narrowed or blocked arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce damage during or after a heart attack.
According to the ACC, Blount Memorial is the first site to earn “Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI” using their new streamlined accreditation model. The ACC representative onsite for the presentation commented that the hospital is “a beacon for the community.”
“Maintaining a Chest Center Accreditation is a team effort with involvement from the ambulance service, emergency department, laboratory, radiology department, EKG technicians, nurses, cath lab team and the cardiologists,” said Blount Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer and cardiologist Dr. Jane Souther. “And our work is never done – we are continuously working to improve our times from first medical contact to open vessel because we are all aware that ‘time is muscle.’ The faster we are able to restore blood flow, the less chance of permanent damage to the heart.”
“Our goal is to return patients experiencing a heart attack back to a quality life in which they are not handicapped by their heart disease,” Souther continued. “Our team evaluates every heart attack that passes through our doors and reviews our care to be certain that we provided the very best care possible. Going forward, we are going to work toward a Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation and a Heart Failure Accreditation, which will fulfill our goal of becoming a Heart Center of Excellence,” she added.
“Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing Blount and its surrounding counties with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award this well-deserved accreditation.” Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital and Prisma Health Richland Hospital in South Carolina also are accredited.
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 with 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. These facilities also maintain a "No Diversion Policy" for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Accreditation requires a multi-faceted review of improved methods and strategies of caring for patients, including streamlining processes, implementing of current guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing heart attack symptoms. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria supporting patient education and improved patient outcomes.
About Prisma Health
Prisma Health is a private nonprofit health company with over 32,000 team members, 19 acute and specialty hospitals, 3,131 licensed beds, 320 practice sites, and more than 5,900 employed and independent clinicians across its clinically integrated inVio Health Network. Along with this innovative network, Prisma Health serves more than 1.6 million unique patients annually in its South Carolina and Tennessee service areas. Connect with Prisma Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter/X. Visit PrismaHealth.org.
About the American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. Through its world-renowned family of JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, CardioSmart patient resources and more, the College is committed to ensuring a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at acc.org or follow @ACCinTouch.
