First in the Region for Full Accreditation as a Chest Pain Center
If you are experiencing chest pain, dial 911.
Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
St. Joseph’s Hospital is the first in the region to receive full accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.
St. Joseph’s Hospital, part of the St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System, is working in collaboration with community groups, emergency responders and the extended clinical communities to increase awareness of the early symptoms of a possible heart attack so patients can get the help they need quickly and effectively. To receive this advanced accreditation, The Heart Hospital demonstrated a significant reduction in the time it takes to receive treatment for chest pain as well as accuracy and effectiveness of the treatment.
Advanced Integration of All Areas of Cardiovascular Expertise
As heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States, St. Joseph’s/Candler takes a very systematic approach when a patient comes to The Heart Hospital with chest pain.
The Accredited Chest Pain Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital 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.
New Cardiac Technology to Stabilize Heart Attack Patients
With a heart attack, patients need to be stabilized quickly. Any number of challenges – erratic heart rate, blood pressure or heart rhythm – can jeopardize a patient’s heart function.
A new left ventricular assist device called the Impella allows cardiovascular specialists at St. Joseph’s/Candler to stabilize and support the output from the heart. In other words, this innovative device can basically perform the heart’s function so experts at The Heart Hospital can open blocked arteries as quick and effectively as possible.
Contact Us
For more information about The Heart Hospital, please call 912-819-4100 and ask for The Heart Hospital.