CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta Receives Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation

Sponsor

Queen City residents Ward King and his wife, Glenda, were
enjoying coffee and a visit with their friends, Dot and Dave Eaton, when Ward suddenly
broke out in a cold sweat. He experienced mild chest discomfort and felt “a bit strange”
but certainly didn’t believe he was about to have a myocardial infarction, better known as
a heart attack. After all, he declared he wasn’t suffering the “normal” symptoms of a
heart attack.

Fortunately, his wife insisted they go to CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta
after calling the Emergency Department, where they were advised that Ward needed to
be seen as soon as possible. At the hospital, a stat EKG indicated Ward was in the
process of having a heart attack. Rapid and thorough assessment, followed by life-

OUR MISSION “To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ

saving stabilization by Dr. Bo Price and the Atlanta ER team, prepared Ward for quick
transport to CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, where he went directly
to the Cardiac Cath Lab for angioplasty, receiving a stent to keep his blocked artery
open.

Ward wasn’t aware at the time of his visit CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-
Atlanta had earned full Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the American College of
Cardiology (ACC). But he did know he made a life-saving decision. “The Atlanta
emergency team was great – everybody was in sync,” he said. “I have the highest
respect for them as well as the ER team and cardiology folks at CHRISTUS St. Michael
in Texarkana.”

After a brief two-day stay in the hospital, Ward returned to work at Texarkana, TX
Independent School District, where he is a bus mechanic. He reports today there was
minor damage to his heart and he has been symptom-free since his procedure.
Ward is only one of approximately 715,000 Americans who suffered a heart
attack last year.

At least 60 patients report to CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta
with symptoms of a heart attack or chest pain each month, and like Ward, Cass County
area residents can be assured their hospital is positioned to efficiently manage their
chest pain/heart issues as an Accredited Chest Pain Center (CPC)

According to the American College of Cardiology, the Chest Pain Center
Accreditation process ensures that hospitals meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria
and undergo a comprehensive onsite review by a team of accreditation review specialists.

“A CPC hospital has achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who
present with symptoms of a heart attack,” said Thomas McKinney, MHA, CHRISTUS St.
Michael Hospital-Atlanta Administrator. “We emphasize the importance of standardized
diagnostic and treatment programs to provide more efficient and effective evaluation as
well as more appropriate and rapid treatment of patients with chest pain and other heart
attack symptoms.”

According to Nicole Fant, MSN, RN, SCRN, RN Program Manager, by achieving
ACC’s Chest Pain Center Accreditation status, CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta
demonstrates expertise in the following areas:
· Integrating the emergency department with the local emergency medical
system
· Assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients quickly
· Effectively treating patients at low risk for acute coronary syndrome and no
assignable cause for their symptoms

OUR MISSION “To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ

· Continually seeking to improve processes and procedures
· Ensuring the competence and training of Accredited Chest Pain Center
personnel
· Maintaining organizational structure and commitment
· Constructing a functional design that promotes optimal patient care
· Supporting community outreach programs that educate the public to
promptly seek medical care if they display symptoms of a possible
heart attack.
“Along with the ACC, our goal is to significantly enhance the outcomes of
patients with chest pain and heart-attack symptoms and decrease the mortality rates,”
Fant explained. “We want to help the public to recognize and react quickly to the early
symptoms of a possible heart attack to reduce the time it takes to receive treatment. In
Mr. King’s situation, his wife’s insistence that he come to the hospital made a drastic
difference in his outcome and likely saved his life.”
The American Heart Association contends knowing the risk factors and
symptoms of a heart attack can save lives. Symptoms include but are not limited to pain
that spreads from the shoulders, neck or arms; pressure, uncomfortable “fullness” in the
chest, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and indigestion. The Heart Association
recommends regularly scheduled appointments with your physician to keep a check on
blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart function and advice on how to reduce the risk of
heart attack or stroke.

To learn more about heart disease, go to www.christusstmichael.org/heartdisease.

Previous articler. Brittany Ackley Joins CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Jefferson Avenue
Next articleCancer Center Open House