Central Carolina Hospital Recognized For Excellence With Chest Pain Center Accreditation

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Central Carolina Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. CCH was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation 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.

Hospitals that have earned Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. 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.

“Central Carolina Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing Sanford and Lee County 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 Central Carolina with Chest Pain Center Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves:

• Completing a gap analysis
• Examining variances of care and 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.

“Accreditation is a benchmark of quality care,” said Dave Santoemma, CEO of Central Carolina Hospital. “It signifies to the public that we have met stringent standards through an objective review by an independent accrediting organization. The community can rest assured that we provide quality care for patients experiencing the symptoms of heart attack. Congratulations to our entire heart care team for this achievement.”

Treatment of patients with chest pain often begins in the Emergency Department. As an accredited facility, CCH uses the newest methods and best practices in heart care to ensure that our emergency patients receive the right care at the right time to minimize or eliminate heart damage due to heart attack. We provide timely and accurate diagnoses to reduce disruption to our patients’ lives and provide improved quality of life after a heart episode.

Central Carolina Hospital also provides a cardiac catheterization laboratory, as well as cardiac rehabilitation services after discharge. The hospital’s experienced heart catheterization team performs procedures using balloons, stents and other devices to open blocked or repair damaged blood vessels of the heart or body. This often avoids the need for heart surgery.

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Central Carolina 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.