Franciscan Health’s Northwest Indiana hospitals recently were recognized by the American College of Cardiology for its demonstrated expertise in treating patients with chest pain.
Franciscan Health Michigan City, Franciscan Health Crown Point, Franciscan Health Hammond and Franciscan Health Dyer were awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI based on onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
“Franciscan Health has demonstrated its commitment to providing Northwest Indiana with excellent heart care,” said Dr. Phillip Levy, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year.
Percutaneous coronary intervention 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 shown competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7. Those earning the designation have streamlined 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.
