Lutheran Hospital receives ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Lutheran Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment to treating patients with chest pain.

Lutheran Hospital was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation 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.

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.

“The American College of Cardiology has independently verified and recognized that the Lutheran Health Network is dedicated to and invested in the Chain of Survival for patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome. This begins in the Prehospital Ground and Helicopter EMS system, and extends through the continuum of care in the Emergency Department, Cardiac Cath Labs, ICU, OR, Telemetry, and Cardiac Rehab. It takes a dedicated and coordinated team of multidisciplinary health care providers to support and care for a village, and that is what we have here at Lutheran Hospital,” said Dr. Jack Scott, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Lutheran Hospital.

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.

“Lutheran Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing Northeast Indiana 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 Lutheran Hospital with the Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation.”

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 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.