“This accreditation demonstrates a seamless and standardized process of quality care delivery at Novant Health Chest Pain facilities,” said Dr. Yele Aluko, senior vice president of Novant Health Heart and Vascular Service. “This has been enabled by a deliberate process of diagnostic and work flow efficiencies, executed through collaborative teamwork amongst clinical providers and administrative partners in multiple facilities across the market.”
The CDC reports that about 735,000 Americans have a heart attack every year, while 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States, accounting for 1 in 4 deaths. Novant Health facilities with Chest Pain Center Accreditation aim to significantly reduce the mortality rate of patients, beginning care for the patient even before he or she arrives.
“Through early communication with our EMS partners in the field, our teams are prepared to receive the patient before arrival,” Aluko said. “This ensures that as soon as patients come through our doors, the appropriate protocols are implemented without delay.”
Novant Health’s chest pain best practice protocols are designed to quickly identify patients who are having acute coronary or other chest pain syndromes. The patient presenting symptoms is then triaged immediately into the appropriate level of emergency care. The chest pain best practice teams adhere to strict requirements and guidelines regarding timeliness.
“We move very quickly and efficiently, because time is muscle,” Aluko said. “The more delay there is, the greater the chance for potential adverse consequences to the heart and to the patient.”
Some 85 percent of heart damage occurs within the first two hours of a heart attack. It’s extremely important to know the subtle danger signs of a heart attack and act on them immediately before damage occurs. People may experience symptoms such as mild chest symptoms, pressure, burning, aching or tightness. These symptoms may come and go until they finally become constant and severe and may even occur hours or weeks before the actual heart attack.
Novant Health is positioned to develop one standard of care and optimum patient experience and outcomes. SCPC’s Chest Pain Center Accreditation recognizes the expertise in cardiovascular care provided by Novant Health and helps to reassure residents that medical care for a heart attack is available right here in the community.
Subscribe