On The Move
Providence Hospitals Achieves Renewed Status as Accredited Chest Pain Center
Jan 24, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC - January 24, 2012 - Providence Hospitals announces that for the third consecutive year, it has received the Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC), an international not-for-profit organization that focuses on transforming cardiovascular care by assisting facilities in their effort to create communities of excellence that bring together quality, cost and patient satisfaction.
Hospitals that have received SCPC accreditation have achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack. Staff and policies in place at these facilities emphasize the importance of standardized diagnostic and treatment programs that provide more efficient and effective evaluation as well as more appropriate and rapid treatment of patients with chest pain and other heart attack symptoms. They also serve as a point of entry into the healthcare system to evaluate and treat other medical problems, and they help to promote a healthier lifestyle in an attempt to reduce the risk factors for heart attack within the local community.
To become an Accredited Chest Pain Center, Providence Hospital engaged in rigorous evaluation by SCPC for its ability to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. To the Midlands community, this means that processes are in place that meet strict criteria aimed at:
• Reducing the time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment
• Treating patients more quickly during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart muscle can be preserved
• Monitoring patients when it is not certain that they are having a heart attack to ensure that they are not sent home too quickly or needlessly admitted to the hospital
"Since our heart program began in 1974, our staff and experienced physicians have committed themselves to providing the highest quality of care, not only on the treatment side, but everything from prevention to follow-up care as well," said George Zara, Providence Hospitals President & CEO. "This third consecutive accreditation demonstrates to our community that unwavering commitment to exceptional heart care."
Providence Hospitals' state-of-the-art healthcare encompasses the entire continuum of care for the heart patient and includes such focal points as dispatch, Emergency Medical System, emergency department, catheterization laboratory, a quality assurance plan, and Providence Health & Wellness community outreach programs.
By maintaining its status as an Accredited Chest Pain Center, Providence Hospitals has enhanced the quality of care for the cardiac patient and has demonstrated its commitment to higher standards.
For more information about this accreditation, contact Providence Hospitals at (803) 256-5460 or visit www.providencehospitals.com.
About Providence Hospitals:
Providence Hospitals is the Midlands leading provider of cardiovascular and orthopaedics services. Providence is composed of two hospitals, twelve physician practices, a network of rehabilitation centers, two sleep centers, a school of cardiac diagnostics and is an accredited chest pain center. In total, Providence employs over 2,000 dedicated staff.
Founded in 1938 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine, Providence is known state wide for outstanding clinical quality and compassionate care. The Providence open heart surgery program has ranked consistently in the top 15% of open heart programs for the past four and one-half years. Both the orthopaedics and cardiac services have received the South Carolina Blue Cross center of distinction designation.
For more information visit www.providencehospitals.com
About The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC):
The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) is an international not-for-profit organization whose mission is to transform cardiovascular care by assisting facilities in their effort to create communities of excellence that bring together quality, cost and patient satisfaction. As the only cross-specialty Society, SCPC provides the support needed for hospital systems to effectively bridge existing gaps in treatment by providing the tools, education and support necessary to successfully navigate the changing face of healthcare.
For more information on SCPC, accreditation and certification opportunities, visit www.scpcp.org, or call toll free 1-877-271-4176.
