Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital receives Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation from ACC

Accreditation represents commitment to necessary care and resources for patients with heart attack symptoms

Darby, Pa. — (November 1, 2021) — Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital is pleased to announce that it has been recognized for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain by the American College of Cardiology (ACC). Mercy Fitzgerald was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI based on rigorous onsite evaluations of staff members’ ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

“This accreditation from the ACC is a testament to Mercy Fitzgerald’s commitment to providing our patients with the best heart care possible,” said John Finley, MD, director of the Cardiac Catherization Lab at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. “I am proud of the skilled and dedicated physicians, nurses and the entire support staff—from the Emergency Department to the cardiac catheterization lab to the intensive care unit—who never stop working to improve our methods in the delivery of care.”

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.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also known as coronary angioplasty. It 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 earn 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 designation, accredited hospitals have also streamlined their systems, from admission to evaluation to diagnosis and treatment, all the way through to appropriate post-discharge care and recommendations and assistance in patient lifestyle changes. In addition, accredited hospitals have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI.

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves:

• Completion of a gap analysis;
• Examination of variances of care;
• Development of an action plan;
• A rigorous onsite review; and
• Creation of a system for monitoring for sustained success.

Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Facilities that achieve ACC 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.

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Mercy Fitzgerald access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including emergency treatment of heart attacks.

To learn more about heart and vascular care at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, visit trinityhealthma.org/cardiology.