Local Chest Pain Center Reaccredited by National Organization

7:36 AM, Feb 06, 2018
1:44 PM, Mar 25, 2019

Billings Clinic has again been recognized as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). This important reaccreditation was based on rigorous onsite evaluations of staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with chest pain or those who may be experiencing a heart attack.  

Billings Clinic is the only accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation in Montana and Wyoming. The accreditation includes the combined efforts of the entire cardiology department, the emergency department, the intensive care unit, the cardiovascular unit, MedFlight, regional partners and other organizations.

At Billings Clinic – the largest health care system in Montana – that means helping to raise awareness and continuing to provide a year-round, complete heart care program for thousands of patients across the region.

This robust program includes an experienced team of cardiologists, surgeons, technologists and more; cutting-edge technology and other resources to provide comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation to patients and their heart health.

According to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, heart disease causes one in four deaths every year in America, making it the leading cause of death among both men and women. February, American Heart Month, is the perfect time to learn about and put into place a heart-healthy lifestyle. 

A few ways to control and prevent risk of heart disease include:
• Watch your weight.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get active and eat healthy.

More than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also called coronary angioplasty, is a non-surgical procedure to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries using a balloon in order to relieve heart disease symptoms or reduced damage from a heart attack.

Hospitals, such as Billings Clinic, that have earned Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation accreditation have shown exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 throughout the year. Accredited hospitals have reported improved patient outcomes through consistent use of ACC and AHA models. This includes a 25 to 50 percent decrease in readmissions by assessment, diagnosis and treatment in a timely, efficient, and appropriate manner.

They also must comply with standard protocols and have a robust hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest treatment. Facilities and organizations earning this distinction must meet or exceed a wide range of strict criteria and have a team of physicians, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff to support efforts that result in better patient and staff education and improved patient outcomes. 

“We commend Billings Clinic for its demonstrated commitment to providing Billings and the region with excellent cardiac care,” says Abraham Joseph, vice president of ACC Accreditation Services.

For more information on Billings Clinic and its heart care program, call (406) 238-2000 or visit www.billingsclinic.com/heart

Our Billings Location
801 North 29th St 
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 238-2500
*About Sponsored Content

KTVQ offers useful, valuable information from select sponsors on these pages. This content is not produced or endorsed by Q2 News. To learn more about being a Sponsored Content provider on this site, contact our digital sales specialists.

About Brand Spotlight

Brand Spotlight offers useful, valuable information from select sponsors on these pages. This content is not produced or endorsed by this station.