Tennova Healthcare - North Knoxville Medical Center Recognized for Excellence with ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation

3/28/2022

Tennova Healthcare - North Knoxville Medical Center was recently recognized by The American College of Cardiology with re-accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with the Primary PCI designation in March. This demonstrates continued expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. This accreditation is based on a rigorous onsite assessment of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Tennova Healthcare continues to be the only provider in Knox County that carries the Chest Pain Center accreditation.

“Maintaining Tennova’s accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI requires a continuous commitment to excellence and dedication to improving heart and vascular care for our local residents and their families,” explains Colin McRae, chief executive officer at Tennova North Knoxville Medical Center. “This accreditation recognizes the amazing work our emergency department and cardiac team does to ensure our patients with chest pain are evaluated quickly and receive evidence-based care in a timely manner.”

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

“This accreditation is another example of how Tennova strives to achieve cardiac excellence,” says Tim Buck, VP business development: cardiovascular services at Tennova Healthcare.

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. 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.

“Tennova’s North Knoxville Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing Knoxville and the surrounding areas with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Tennova North Knoxville Medical Center with Chest Pain Center Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center 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; a rigorous onsite 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.

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Tennova North Knoxville Medical Center 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.

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