Blessing Hospital retains national Chest Pain Center accreditation

QUINCY — The American College of Cardiology has recognized Blessing Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain, according to a press release from Blessing.

Blessing Hospital has been awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI based on a recent onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

PCI stands for percutaneous coronary intervention and also is 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.

Blessing Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Center has continuously held this national accreditation since 2005.

“In addition to our commitment to bring residents of the region the latest and highest quality heart care, education and screenings to reduce the risk for heart disease, we are committed to making sure patients have access to the care they need,” Jeffrey Cook, cardiologist at Blessing Physician Services, said in the release. “Our cardiologists spend hours on the road every week to hold patient clinics in communities to bring this level of care to patients where they live.”

Hospitals earning ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available every day of the year. 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. They also have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI.

“In addition to our commitment to bring residents of the region the latest and highest quality heart care, education and screenings to reduce the risk for heart disease, we are committed to making sure patients have access to the care they need. Our cardiologists spend hours on the road every week to hold patient clinics in communities to bring this level of care to patients where they live.”

Jeffrey Cook,
cardiologist at Blessing Physician Services

“Blessing Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Tri-State area with excellent heart care,” Deepak L. Bhatt, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board, said in the release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 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.