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Baptist Health Louisville accredited for heart attack treatment

Hospital awarded highest level for Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation

By Mark Green

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The American College of Cardiology has recognized Baptist Health Louisville for its expertise and commitment in treating patients with heart attack and chest pain. Baptist Health Louisville was awarded the highest level for Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation in June based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year, and heart disease remains the most common cause of death. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI),also known as coronary angioplasty, is the best treatment for heart attacks. It is a non-surgical procedure performed in the cardiac catheterization lab that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon and stent to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

“When dealing with a heart attack time is muscle,” said Brian Kaebnick, MD, Chest Pain Center Medical Director. “This means the faster we open up an occluded artery we can minimize damage to the heart and lower mortality associated with heart attacks. At Baptist Health Louisville, our cardiac catheterization team have collaborated with our EMS partners and Emergency Room department to expedite evaluation and transfer to receive immediate PCI for best outcomes for our patients.  As a result, we have some of the fastest times from first medical contact to opening the occluded artery.”

“Baptist Health Louisville has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Kentuckiana region 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 Baptist Health Louisville with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation 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, implementation 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.

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