Twin County Regional Healthcare Recognized for Excellence with ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation

TCRH provides necessary care, resources to patients with heart attack symptoms

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Twin County Regional Healthcare for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. TCRH was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation in March based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 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.

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. 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.

“Twin County Regional Healthcare has demonstrated its commitment to providing Carroll County, Galax, and Grayson 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 TCRH with Chest Pain Center Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center 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 of 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.

Chief Executive Officer Sudandra Ratnasamy MBA, FACHE “At Twin County Regional Healthcare, we are committed to providing the highest level of care to our community. Achieving Chest Pain Accreditation is a testament to our dedicated team, and I am proud of the collaborative efforts led by Cardiac Rehab Director, Amy Combs BSN, RN, CCRN, CCRP. This milestone reaffirms our mission of making communities healthier by focusing on timely and life-saving interventions for individuals experiencing chest pain. This recognition reflects our commitment to ensure every patient receives the best possible care during critical moments.”

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like TCRH 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.

About Twin County Regional Healthcare:

Twin County Regional Hospital (TCRH) is the flagship of the Twin County Regional Healthcare delivery system, a Duke LifePoint Healthcare affiliate, centered on the mission “Making Communities Healthier®.  The hospital is in Galax, Virginia, the center of the Twin Counties of Grayson and Carroll Counties in Southwest Virginia.  Twin County Regional Hospital has been the anchor and the region’s leader of healthcare for over 50 years offering services such as acute care, inpatient behavioral health, cardiac rehab/cardio direct, cardiology, cardiopulmonary services, chronic disease management, diagnostic imaging, emergency services, intensive care, lab/lab direct, occupational health, orthopedics, rehabilitation services, stroke center, surgical services, neurology, urology, women’s health and birthing center and many other services. For additional information, please call 276.236.8181 or visit www.TCRH.org or find TCRH on Facebook.

About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. Through its world-renowned family of JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, CardioSmart patient resources and more, the College is committed to ensuring a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at acc.org or follow @ACCinTouch.

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