CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville recently earned full re-accreditation with PCI from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC) and American College of Cardiology (ACC).

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States, with 600,000 people dying annually of heart disease. More than five million Americans visit hospitals each year with chest pain. SCPC’s goal is to significantly reduce the mortality rate of these patients by teaching the public to recognize and react to the early symptoms of a possible heart attack, reduce the time that it takes to receive treatment, and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment.

“As an Accredited Chest Pain Center, our protocol-driven approach to heart care allows us to reduce time-to-treatment during the critical first stages of a heart attack,” said Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville Chief Executive Officer Alex Villa. “This is another step in our continuing efforts to provide ever-improving care to our patients.”

An Accredited Chest Pain Center’s (CPC) evidence-based, protocol-driven and systematic approach to cardiac patient care allows clinicians to reduce time to treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack. Accredited facilities better monitor patients when it is not initially clear whether or not a patient is having a coronary event. Such monitoring ensures patients are neither sent home too early nor needlessly admitted.

According to Chasity Harness, RN, MSN, Chest Pain Center / Heart Surgery Coordinator, “Montgomery County’s EMS personnel are well trained in the arena of cardiac care and are required to maintain clinical competencies. They provide vital care to the patient even before they reach the ER and can activate our heart team to be at the ready upon their arrival. Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville and our local EMS cooperate in sharing data to ensure seamless care throughout the patient experience.”

By achieving SCPC’s Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation status, Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville 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
• 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