Five UH Emergency Departments Recognized for Excellence with ACC Certification
December 10, 2019
CLEVELAND – The American College of Cardiology has recognized five free-standing emergency departments within the University Hospitals system for demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients experiencing an urgent heart problem.
The facilities were awarded FreeStanding Emergency Department Cardiac Care Certification based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a cardiovascular issue and need access to emergency care close to home. Facilities that have earned this certification have proven exceptional competency in ensuring that patients experiencing acute signs and symptoms of heart attack, atrial fibrillation or heart disease receive the same expert care as those who enter the emergency department of an established hospital.
UH Amherst Health Center Emergency Room, UH Andover Health Center Emergency Room, UH Avon Health Center Emergency Room, UH Kent Health Center Emergency Room and UH Twinsburg Health Center Emergency Room received the honor in early December.
“UH is committed to serving our community. This prestigious certification speaks to the outstanding efforts of our nurses, providers and staff at our emergency departments to deliver best-in-class, faster and more efficient care for patients with chest pain and heart attack, close to their home,” said Marco Costa, MD, PhD, MBA, President, UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, and President, UH Western Region Hospitals.
This certification means these facilities have processes and protocols to provide excellence in community outreach, pre-hospital care, early stabilization and acute care, transitional care, clinical quality and more. Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards and adopting best practices in the care of cardiovascular patients. Facilities that earn the certification go through a rigorous onsite review and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff around the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.
“Our teams at the various health centers have worked for more than a year to gain this certification. The major milestone was possible only because of collaboration among ER physicians, ER nurses, nurse managers, lab technicians, EMS, ER paramedics, cardiology and hospital representatives. Their hard work and determination translate into improved cardiac care for patients across Northeast Ohio,” said Donald Neu, RN, BSN, Quality and Chest Pain Coordinator with University Hospitals.
Adding to the honor, only five other facilities in the country have been awarded FreeStanding Emergency Department Cardiac Care Certification. UH now has five facilities joining this exclusive group of emergency departments providing premium cardiac care.