Emanuel Medical Center’s efforts to obtain the best possible outcomes for patients having heart attacks has earned the facility a sought-after accreditation.

Emanuel Medical Center was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary Percutaneous coronary intervention from the American College of Cardiology. The accreditation was awarded after a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

Percutaneous coronary intervention 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.

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 all hours every day of the year.

As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, 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. In addition, they have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI and they work closely with local Emergency Medical Services on processes and treatment protocols.

“Emanuel Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing Turlock and its surrounding communities with excellent heart care,” said Dr. Phillip D. Levy, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Emanuel with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”

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

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.