San Jacinto Methodist Hospital received full accreditation with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC). The Society of Chest Pain Centers evaluates chest pain centers across the nation to ensure that these centers meet or exceed quality-of-care measures based on improving the process for the care of the patient.
“This designation is a testament to the quality of care that we provide to our patients. Many departments, services, and individuals were instrumental in achieving this accreditation including the Emergency Department (ED), Cardiac Cath Lab, Performance Improvement Department, Neuro Cardio Pulmonary Department, Laboratory, EMS providers, Emergency Medicine physicians, and Cardiologists,” said Donna Gares, President and CEO of San Jacinto Methodist Hospital.
Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States, with 600,000 people dying annually of heart disease. More than five million Americans visit hospitals each year with chest pain. SCPC’s goal is to significantly reduce the mortality rate of these patients by teaching the public to recognize and react to the early symptoms of a possible heart attack, reduce the time that it takes to receive treatment, and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment.
San Jacinto Methodist’s systematic approach to patient management allows physicians to reduce time to treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack, when treatments are most effective, and to better monitor patients when it is not clear whether or not they are having a coronary event. Such observation helps ensure that patients are neither sent home too early nor needlessly admitted.
The Accredited Chest Pain Center at San Jacinto Methodist has demonstrated its expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria and undergoing an onsite review by a team of SPCP’s accreditation review specialists. Key areas in which an Accredited Chest Pain Center must demonstrate expertise include the following:
- Integrating the emergency department with the local emergency medical system
- Assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients quickly
- Effectively treating patients with low risk for acute coronary syndrome and no assignable cause for their symptoms
- Continually seeking to improve processes and procedures
- Ensuring the competence and training of Accredited Chest Pain Center personnel
- Maintaining organizational structure and commitment
- Having a functional design that promotes optimal patient care
- Supporting community outreach programs that educate the public to promptly seek medical care if they display symptoms of a possible heart attack
For more information about this accreditation or services at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, call 832-556-6543.
