Baptist Health Corbin Receives ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation
Baptist Health Corbin provides necessary care, resources to patients with heart attack symptoms.
CORBIN, KY (August 9, 2022) — The American College of Cardiology has recognized Baptist Health Corbin for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Baptist Health Corbin was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI in August 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.
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 comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols and are equipped with a robust cardiac care program. These facilities also maintain a "No Diversion Policy" for patients having a heart attack.
“Baptist Health Corbin has demonstrated its commitment to provide excellent heart care to it’s community,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Baptist Health Corbin with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”
Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI 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.
“Our goal is to provide our patients with state-of-the art cardiovascular care during the critical window of time (symptom onset to reperfusion) when we can preserve the integrity of the heart muscle. This is another step in our continuing efforts to provide the ever-improving care to our patients, and to make Baptist Health Corbin the best it can be,” stated Anthony Powers, President.
Tracy Bruck, RN, Chest Pain Center/STEMI Coordinator, stated, “A heart attack is a frightening experience. About every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack.” Bruck added, “It is important to know the signs and symptoms and seek medical treatment as soon as possible. This will limit or prevent further damage to your heart.”
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Baptist Health Corbin 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.