Tulane earns area’s only ACC chest pain with primary PCI accreditation

Tulane Medical Center has been recognized by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. The hospital was recently awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Tulane Medical Center is the only hospital in the New Orleans area to achieve this level of accreditation from the ACC.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Dr. Bob Lynch, Tulane Health System CEO. “Not because we’ve earned an accolade, but because this represents the culmination of months of work to build, organize and improve our processes to deliver the very best in patient care for those suffering from chest pain and heart attack symptoms.”

Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other staff that support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves completing a gap analysis, examining variances of care and 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 symptoms of a heart attack. “To receive this designation from the trusted organizational home for cardiovascular professionals – namely, the ACC – is indeed high praise,” said Dr. Robert Hendel, director of the Tulane University Heart & Vascular Institute. “I am particularly proud of Tulane Medical Center for receiving this national designation. As a trustee of the ACC for the last five years, I know firsthand that we are emulating the highest national standards here in our community.”

Tulane Medical Center, along with other hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation, has proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year. PCI is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a stent to reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

“Tulane Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the New Orleans area with excellent heart care,” said Dr. Phillip D. Levy, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Tulane Medical Center with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation.”