Three Northwest Indiana Franciscan Health hospitals have been reaccredited by the American College of Cardiology as Chest Pain Centers with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) for their demonstrated expertise and commitment to treating patients with chest pain.
The reaccreditations were issued to Franciscan Health Crown Point, Franciscan Health Dyer and Franciscan Health Michigan City in August. The three hospitals were last accredited in 2019. The new accreditations run through August 2026.
The designation was awarded based on rigorous onsite evaluations of the ability of staff members to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
“Franciscan Health Crown Point, Dyer and Michigan City have demonstrated their commitment to providing Northwest Indiana with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award the hospitals with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. Other symptoms include tingling or discomfort in the back, shoulder, neck, jaw and one or both arms; shortness of breath; cold sweats; unusual tiredness; a heartburn-like feeling; nausea or vomiting; sudden dizziness or fainting.
PCI, also known as coronary angioplasty, 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 at all times.
“Patients experiencing chest pain in Northwest Indiana have the choice of the highly accredited care teams at Franciscan Health Crown Point, Dyer and Michigan City,” said Franciscan Health Dyer and Michigan City President and CEO Dean Mazzoni. “These professionals have again been recognized for their commitment to providing the highest level of care possible and we thank them for their efforts.”
Accredited hospitals must comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols and are equipped with a robust hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest treatment. The facilities must also maintain a non-diversion policy for cardiac arrest patients presenting in the emergency room.
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, developing an action plan, undergoing a rigorous onsite review and monitoring for sustained success.
Facilities that achieve accreditation also 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.
“Franciscan Health Crown Point is thrilled to again be accredited by the ACC as a Chest Pain Center with PCI,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Daniel McCormick, MD. “Patients experiencing chest pain can rest easier knowing they can receive exceptional, compassionate care close to home. I commend our team for their work in achieving this distinction.”
