Conemaugh Meyersdale Achieves Chest Pain Center Accreditation

Photo:  Pictured are members of Conemaugh Meyersdale’s Chest Pain Committee (from left):
Lisa Popovnak, Dr. Kenneth Glassford, Pam Swansboro, MS, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Heather Smith, CEO.

Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center recently received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Accreditation Services for the second time. Hospitals that have received ACC accreditation have achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack. They 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.

To become an Accredited Chest Pain Center, Conemaugh Meyersdale engaged in rigorous evaluation by ACC for its ability to assess, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Meyersdale was able to demonstrate 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
   

“Earning Chest Pain Center accreditation once again is a testament to the continued hard work and dedication of our clinical team, our community partners and the ACC, who have been working collaboratively to ensure our hospital is prepared to provide high quality care to patients when heart attacks strike,” said Heather Smith, chief executive officer. “I appreciate the collaborative efforts of everyone on our Chest Pain Committee.  I especially want to thank Lisa Popovnak, MS, RN-BC, our Chest Pain Coordinator and Kenneth Glassford, MD, our Chest Pain Physician Champion.

Meyersdale addresses the entire continuum of care for the heart patient, including important areas such as dispatch, Emergency Medical System, emergency department, quality assurance plan, and community outreach and education. By becoming an Accredited Chest Pain Center, Meyersdale has enhanced the quality of care for the cardiac patient and has demonstrated its commitment to higher standards.

“Conemaugh Meyersdale’s top priority is to provide quality healthcare close to home, and this accomplishment demonstrates one of the many ways we continually work to enhance and improve our service,” Smith said.