News

February 27, 2019

Wadley Regional Medical Center has received Chest Pain Accreditation by the American College of Cardiology

Texarkana, Texas:  Wadley Regional Medical Center has received accreditation by the American College of Cardiology.  Wadley is Texarkana’s FIRST and ONLY accredited Chest Pain Center. Accreditation is a process aimed at ensuring patients receive the highest quality of chest pain care. The goal is to significantly reduce the mortality rate of heart attack patients by reducing the time it takes to receive treatment and increasing the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment. Wadley has demonstrated expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria and completing on-site survey by the American College of Cardiology.

“This rigorous process to become a Chest Pain Accredited hospital is an important step to reinforce the quality care given at Wadley,” said Thomas Gilbert, president of Wadley. “By reaching this status, Wadley has demonstrated its commitment to offering high standards of cardiac care to our community. This is an important achievement for the hospital and is a direct result of our physicians’ and staff’s hard work.”

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States, with 600,000 people dying annually of heart disease. More than five million Americans visit hospitals each year with chest pain. Another goal is to significantly reduce the mortality rate of these patients by teaching the public to recognize and react to the early symptoms of a possible heart attack.

An Accredited Chest Pain Center’s evidence-based, protocol-driven and systematic approach to cardiac patient care allows clinicians to reduce time to treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack. “This accreditation recognizes our comprehensive team approach and dedication to delivering high-quality care to heart attack patients close to home,” said Sher Fomby, NP, Cardiovascular Program Director.

Chest Pain Centers better monitor patients when it is not clear whether or not a patient is having a coronary event. Such monitoring ensures patients are neither sent home too early nor needlessly admitted. Accreditation distinguishes Wadley from other facilities. Accreditation means we employ rapid diagnosis and treatment of chest pain, assessment of patients, and ensure staff training and competency. 

Accredited Chest Pain Centers must demonstrate expertise in:

  • Integrating the emergency department with the local emergency medical system
  • Assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients quickly
  • Effectively treating patients with low risk for acute coronary syndrome and no assignable cause for their symptoms
  • Continually seeking to improve processes and procedures
  • Ensuring Chest Pain Center personnel competency and training
  • Maintaining organizational structure and commitment
  • Having a functional design that promotes optimal patient care
  • Supporting community outreach programs that educate the public to promptly seek medical care if they display symptoms of a possible heart attack

In an effort to ensure that our community is educated on the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, risks of cardiovascular disease, as well as how to start life-saving treatment as soon as possible for patients suffering cardiac arrest, please contact Sher Fomby at (903) 798-8924 to schedule an educational session at your place of business.