Baptist-North Mississippi Receives ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain.

Baptist North Mississippi was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in May based on a rigorous on-site evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

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; a cold sweat; unusual tiredness; heartburn-like feeling; nausea or vomiting; sudden dizziness and fainting.

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 have earned 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 accreditation designation, they have 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, they have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI.

“Baptist North Mississippi has demonstrated its commitment to providing Lafayette County and the surrounding area with excellent heart care,” said Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Baptist North Mississippi with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves: completing a gap analysis; examining variances of care, News Release developing an action plan; a rigorous on-site review and monitoring for sustained success; improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing of guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Facilities that achieve 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.

“This higher level of accreditation recognizes the outstanding care our Heart Center provides our cardiac patients,” said Bill Henning, Administrator and CEO of Baptist North Mississippi. “The dedicated focus, teamwork, and collaboration exhibited by our cardiac physician and our clinical team throughout the hospital are the reason Baptist North Mississippi earned this impressive designation. Our community members are the ones who benefit most from having this advanced level of cardiac care so close to home.”

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Baptist North Mississippi 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.

About Baptist North Mississippi

Baptist North Mississippi is a 217-bed hospital in Oxford, Mississippi, that offers a variety of services including cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, home care and hospice and a 24-hour emergency room. In November 2017, the hospital moved into a five-story, 600,000-square-foot-facility that offers expanded services, including a larger emergency department; advanced technology; and larger rooms for patients and their families.

Since the hospital became affiliated with the Baptist system in 1989, Baptist has invested almost $700 million into the community. For more information, please call 662-636-1000 or visit northmiss.baptistonline.org.

About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines.

The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org. For more information about ACC Accreditation Services, visit accreditation.acc.org, or call toll-free 1- 877-271-4176.

Press release courtesy of Baptist North Mississippi