The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized CentraState Medical Center for developing and sharing quality practices that optimize the care and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome. CentraState was awarded ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation in December 2018 based on a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack, along with demonstrating ACC best practice guidelines for patients with acute coronary syndrome are in practice.

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.

Unfortunately, in many cases, early warning signs and symptoms are often ignored. As a result, CentraState has committed to educating and collaborating with EMS, educating the community on early heart attack care (EHAC) and Hands-Only CPR, and created a dedicated observation unit in the hospital’s emergency department for the acute coronary syndrome patient to receive diagnostic cardiac testing and patient education. The goal is to educate the community about early heart attack care to inevitably shift the care from treating to preventing a heart attack.

CentraState earned the ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation after demonstrating that it had streamlined its 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.

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the ACC had to take 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 included streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

“We are proud of the ACC’s accreditation because it is a testament to our commitment to providing quick and efficient care to save the lives and improve outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome,” says Laurie Gambardella, administrative director, Emergency Services, CentraState. “At CentraState, we make it top priority to give patients the tools they need to make significant lifestyle adjustments in order to reduce their chance for another heart event in the future.”