Mega Doctor News
Across the United States, 5% of individuals seeking medical attention in an emergency room report chest pain, per the American Heart Association, a symptom of various underlying conditions, ranging from mild to life-threatening.
Chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest is the most common symptom of a heart attack. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
In many instances, chest pain coupled with other symptoms like pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, shoulders, above the belly button or one or both arms can indicate a patient is having a heart attack, which requires immediate mediation.
Unfortunately, the average person waits three hours before seeking help for symptoms of a heart attack, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with many heart attack patients dying before reaching a hospital.
As one of the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospitals in the nation, the cardiovascular care teams at South Texas Health System Heart have provided quick and efficient treatment to Rio Grande Valley residents experiencing heart attacks for nearly 30 years to prevent or limit damage to the heart and save lives.
For the facility’s unwavering commitment to positive patient outcomes, STHS Heart was recently reaccredited as a Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) by the American College of Cardiology for demonstrating continued expertise in treating patients with chest pain.
“This reaccreditation is a testament to STHS Heart’s continued commitment to providing top notch cardiovascular care to the people in the communities we serve, with an emphasis on reducing cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality,” says Jason Waller, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NR/CCEMT-P, Chest Pain & Trauma Coordinator, STHS Heart. “It helps validate the excellent delivery and quality of care that heart attack patients always experience at STHS Heart.”
There are three types of accreditation designations awarded by the American College of Cardiology—STHS Heart’saccreditation includes the Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) designation.
Known as coronary angioplasty, PCI 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 hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest treatment. The facilities also maintain a “No Diversion Policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.
Additionally, the enhanced accreditation requires that a hospital have a call team of cardiac catheterization lab staff and an interventional cardiologist who must arrive at the lab within a short, pre-determined window of time – day or night. Door to Balloon (D2B) time is the time it takes to get a cardiac patient from the hospital entrance to artery-clearing angioplasty.
“When experiencing a heart event, patients should seek out a hospital that has protocols in place to quickly provide the most appropriate intervention in a timely manner with high quality outcomes. At STHS Heart, we’re proud to consistently achieve D2B times below the national standard,” says Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Heart. “STHS Heart’s team is activated and responds in less than 30 minutes to ensure swift intervention to decrease mortality rates and ensure the best outcomes in our patient population. Our speed in treating heart attack patients saves lives and sets a high standard of care within our community.”
STHS Heart’s accreditation, which is in effect through November 3, 2027, ensures that the facility complies with standard Chest Pain Center protocols, like improved methods and strategies of caring for patients that 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.
Additionally, STHS Heart exceeds an array of stringent criteria and has an organized team of cardiologists, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.
To learn more about the cardiovascular services at STHS Heart, including its full-service Emergency Department and a Heart Emergency Center, visit www.sthsheart.com.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
About the American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. Through its world-renowned family of JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, CardioSmart patient resources and more, the College is committed to ensuring a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at acc.org or follow @ACCinTouch.
