Conway Medical Center Receives ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI
Conway Medical Center provides necessary care, resources to patients with heart attack symptoms
The American College of Cardiology has recognized Conway Medical Center (CMC) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment to treating patients with chest pain. Conway Medical Center was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI in October 2023 based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. CMC is the only hospital with this accreditation in Horry or Georgetown counties.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also 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.
Some of the services offered at CMC with PCI include diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, and stent placement, along with CMC’s continuation of pacemaker and intra-cardiac defibrillator services.
“There is a saying in medicine that time is muscle. The sooner we can treat heart attack patients in the cath lab to open their arteries, the less damage they will have,” said Dr. Paul Richardson CMC Chief Medical Officer. “We are extremely proud of our heart team who worked so hard to earn this accreditation. As the region’s only Duke Health Affiliate in Heart, CMC continues to bring lifesaving care to Horry County.”
Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year. As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, they comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols. These facilities also maintain a “No Diversion Policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.
“Conway Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Grand Strand and Horry County with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Conway Medical Center with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”
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, 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 guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Conway Medical Center access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including emergency treatment of heart attacks.
