In May, University Hospitals (UH) in Cleveland, OH, became the first hospital system nationwide to receive ACC’s Chest Pain Center Version 6 (v6) Accreditation, with 11 facilities in the 12-hospital system achieving the accreditation.

Chest Pain Center v6 Accreditation builds upon previous versions of Chest Pain Center Accreditation to include the most updated research and guidelines for low- to intermediate-risk, NSTE-ACS and STEMI patient populations. Version 6 also incorporates the 2015 American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, as well as specific treatment protocols for post-resuscitated patients. In addition, v6 integrates with ACC’s ACTION Registry to satisfy reporting requirements for STEMI and NSTEMI patient populations.

Don Neu, BSN, RN, quality and chest pain coordinator at UH, says he and his team “jumped at the chance” to earn the new accreditation. “We immediately saw the benefits of working as one team,” Neu says. “We were able to identify issues, create positive change, and make policies system-wide, based on the latest evidence-based practices.”

Over the past decade, many hospitals in the UH system have pursued earlier versions of Chest Pain Center Accreditation, but Neu says the different hospitals often worked separately. “This led to a duplication of efforts for the community hospitals not working on the same cycle,” he adds. The Chest Pain Center v6 Accreditation will help “ensure that all our patients receive the same high-quality, consistent care throughout our system.”

"We immediately saw the benefits of working as one team. We were able to identify issues, create positive change, and make policies system-wide, based on the latest evidence-based practices." — Don Neu, BSN, RN

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.

“University Hospitals has demonstrated its commitment to providing Cleveland with excellent heart care,” says Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award University Hospitals with Chest Pain Center Accreditation.”

Keywords: ACC Publications, Cardiology Interventions, Hospitals, Community, Hospitals, University, Pain Clinics, Chest Pain, Emergency Medical Services, Myocardial Infarction, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Clinical Protocols, Registries, Accreditation, Awards and Prizes, Evidence-Based Practice, Life Style, Quality Improvement

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