The American College of Cardiology has recognized Adventist Health and Rideout for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Adventist Health and Rideout was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI 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. Adventist Health and Rideout’s interventional cardiologists perform PCI with the support of dedicated nurses and techs in its suite of cardiac catheterization labs.
Hospitals that have earned 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. As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, 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. In addition, they have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI.
“Adventist Health and Rideout has demonstrated its commitment to providing Yuba and Sutter with excellent heart care,” said Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Adventist Health and Rideout with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”
To receive the Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation from the ACC took part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involved: 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.
“Adventist Health and Rideout is proud to be recognized by the American College of Cardiology for having excellent heart and vascular services. Our cardiovascular team achieved this accreditation through hard work and collaboration across the care continuum which included first responders, emergency room staff, acute care units, and the cardiac rehabilitation department,” said Eric Cooper, Director, Cardiovascular Services/Cath Lab.
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Adventist Health and Rideout 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.
Adventist Health and Rideout received accreditation for its cardiovascular catheterization lab from the American College of Cardiology earlier in 2020. To learn more about the heart and vascular services at Adventist Health and Rideout, visit www.adventisthealthrideout.org/heart.
