Merit Health Natchez Recognized for Excellence with ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation
6/30/2021
Hospital provides necessary care, resources to patients with heart attack symptoms
NATCHEZ, Miss. – The American College of Cardiology has once again recognized Merit Health Natchez for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Merit Health Natchez was awarded another three year Chest Pain Center Accreditation earlier this year 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 ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. They have streamlined their systems from admission, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment and all the way through to appropriate post-discharge care, recommendations and assistance in patient lifestyle changes.
“Merit Health Natchez has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Miss-Lou 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 Merit Health Natchez 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, 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.
“This accreditation is the result of a tremendous team effort of directors and leaders in our emergency, telemetry and Intensive Care areas, as well as physicians and local emergency medical services and responders,” said Mike Ellis, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Merit Health Natchez. “This team demonstrated commitment, dedication, passion and expertise to achieve this accreditation, and I commend them for bringing this level of excellence to our cardiac patients,” concluded Ellis.
Tammy Cranford, Chief Quality Officer for Merit Health Natchez, commends Lynn Wooten, the hospital’s Chest Pain Coordinator and Arnie Perkins, Trauma Program Manager. “These employees consistently do a tremendous job of keeping our team informed on all the appropriate and necessary steps and actions needed to once again have a successful accreditation,” said Cranford. “Merit Health Natchez is the area’s only accredited Chest Pain Center. We hope this continued level of proven competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms from their arrival to us all the way through their diagnosis, treatment and post-discharge care, will bring confidence and peace of mind to our community,” concluded Cranford.
About the American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.
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