Hartford Hospital Receives Dual Accreditation in Coronary Angioplasty

November 23, 2015

Hartford Hospital’s Chest Pain Center became the first hospital in New England and the fourth in the country to receive dual accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (commonly known as coronary angioplasty) and Resuscitation.

An Accredited Chest Pain Center’s (CPC) evidence-based, protocol-driven and systematic approach to cardiac patient care allows clinicians to reduce time to treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack. Accredited facilities better monitor patients when it is not initially clear whether or not a patient is having a coronary event. Such monitoring ensures patients are neither sent home too early nor needlessly admitted. “This is all about providing the very best care to our patients. The designation demonstrates our ability to care for the most complex patients through our interdisciplinary approach to care, and streamline the time from the onset of cardiac symptoms to intervention,” said Paul Thompson, MD, Chief of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital. “Our highly-skilled team has met the rigorous criteria established by the CPC in providing the highest level of coordinated care for the acute management of coronary disease,” added Dr. Thompson.

“This achievement reflects the outstanding interdepartmental collaboration that we have at Hartford Hospital and further elevates the reputation of world-class care in which we provide to our patients every day,” said Stuart Markowitz, MD., President, Hartford Hospital.

SCPC’s CPC Accreditation process came about as greater numbers of facilities in the United States sought to establish standards and adopt best practices in the quality of care provided to patients experiencing chest pain. SCPC’s CPC 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. Hospitals that receive SCPC CPC Accreditation status have achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who present 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. By achieving SCPC’s Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI with Resuscitation Accreditation status, Hartford Hospital demonstrates expertise in the following areas:Integrating the emergency department with the local emergency medical system

• Assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients quickly
• Effectively treating patients at 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
• Constructing 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 

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. SCPC’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.

About Hartford Hospital
Hartford Hospital, founded in 1854, is one of the largest teaching hospitals and tertiary care centers in New England with one of the region's busiest surgery practices. It is annually ranked among America's Best Hospitals by US News & World Report and has been recognized nationally for the quality of many of its programs, including cardiology, cancer, stroke and joint and spine care. The 867-bed regional referral center provides high-quality care in all clinical disciplines. Among its divisions is The Institute of Living, a 114-bed mental health facility with a national and international reputation of excellence. Jefferson House, a 104-bed long-term care facility, is also a special division of Hartford Hospital. The hospital’s major centers of clinical excellence include cardiology, oncology, emergency services and trauma, mental health, women’s health, orthopedics, bloodless surgery and advanced organ transplantation. Hartford Hospital owns and operates the state’s only air ambulance system, LIFE STAR.

About the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
The Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC) is an international, nonprofit organization that focuses on transforming cardiovascular care by assisting facilities in their efforts to create cardiovascular centers of excellence that deliver quality care and patient satisfaction in a cost sensitive environment. SCPC offers individual hospitals and hospital systems the support needed to effectively reduce variations of care and bridge existing gaps in treatment. Through its collaboration with actively engaged, multidisciplinary teams, SCPC is “Taking Science to the Bedside™” and improving outcomes in the management of heart disease

For more information on SCPC’s accreditation and certification opportunities, visit www.scpc.org, or call toll free 1-877-271-4176.