Hospital First in State to Receive Enhanced Chest Pain Center Accreditation
Appleton Medical Center is the first Wisconsin hospital to receive full Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI & Resuscitation Accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.
As a fully accredited chest pain center, Appleton Medical Center uses evidence-based, protocol-driven and a systematic approach to cardiac care that allows clinicians to treat patients more quickly during the critical early stages of a heart attack. Research also shows accredited facilities better monitor patients when it is not initially clear whether or not a patient is having a coronary event, which ensures patients are neither sent home too early nor needlessly admitted.
“The accreditation reassures our patients and community that ThedaCare follows a systematic and comprehensive treatment plan for all patients with chest pain,” said Brian Guttormsen, MD, medical director for interventional cardiology and the Chest Pain Center.
Appleton Medical Center has been an accredited Chest Pain Center since 2006 and the addition of the resuscitation center accreditation shows ThedaCare is committed to providing the best care for critically ill cardiac patients, said Gregory Long, MD, ThedaCare’s chief medical officer.
“This work is a wonderful example of our commitment to providing exceptional care for the most complex medical conditions in our communities,” he said. “In collaborating with community and healthcare resources, we have been able to create peace of mind for our customers.”
Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States, with 600,000 people dying annually of heart disease. More than five million Americans visit hospitals each year with chest pain. The Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care’s goal is to significantly reduce the mortality rate of these patients by teaching the public to recognize and react to the early symptoms of a possible heart attack, reduce the time that it takes to receive treatment, and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment. The organization’s Chest Pain Center accreditation process ensures that hospitals meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and undergo a comprehensive onsite review by a team of accreditation review specialists.
By achieving SCPC’s Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI with Resuscitation Accreditation status, Appleton Medical Center has demonstrated expertise in the following areas:
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Integrating the emergency department with the local emergency medical system
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Assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients quickly
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Effectively treating patients at low risk for acute coronary syndrome and no assignable cause for their symptoms
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Continually seeking to improve processes and procedures
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Ensuring the competence and training of accredited chest pain center personnel
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Maintaining organizational structure and commitment
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Constructing a functional design that promotes optimal patient care
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Supporting community outreach programs that educate the public to promptly seek medical care if they display symptoms of a possible heart attack
About ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care
ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care is a comprehensive program comprised of 16 cardiologists and three cardiothoracic surgeons that serve Northeastern Wisconsin. ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care includes an Internationally Accredited Chest Pain & Resuscitation Center, making ThedaCare a destination for emergent cardiac care. The cardiovascular care specialties include adult cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiothoracic surgery, structural heart, vascular medicine, and preventive cardiovascular services. In addition, the services include a fully accredited cardiovascular imaging and cardiac rehabilitation programs. ThedaCare Cardiovascular provides services at all seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as other clinics in 14 counties.
About ThedaCare
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,800 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 35 clinics in 14 counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. Construction of ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton is underway. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
