Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne has been recognized with prestigious certifications for its Acute Heart Attack Ready program. The hospital has received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark.
“Earning this certification is a great honor,” stated Christopher Leu, president of Texas Health Cleburne. He emphasized that their primary motivation is not the national recognition. “Our commitment to our community is evident in our dedication to providing high-quality emergency cardiac care. The recent national certification serves as a testament to our efforts.”
Reviewers recently conducted a site visit to evaluate the hospital’s treatment of acute coronary syndrome, which refers to a range of conditions that result in sudden decreases in blood flow to the heart. They also assessed the hospital’s approach to STEMI, a prevalent and life-threatening form of heart attack. A condition known as STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, occurs when a major artery in the heart becomes fully obstructed.
The Acute Heart Attack Ready program is characterized by key features, as stated by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association:
- Ensuring adherence to the highest standards for consistent and optimal heart attack care.
- Examining the timeline of when symptoms first appear and when individuals seek medical assistance, we delve into various healthcare settings including emergency medical services, the emergency department, and inpatient facilities.
- Organizations without on-site primary percutaneous coronary intervention coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week are advised to obtain the certification.
Texas Health Cleburne has been serving the residents of Johnson County for over 35 years. The county’s population has surpassed 187,000 residents, indicating a steady growth. Consequently, there is an increasing probability of encountering a greater number of high-acuity cardiac patients in need of treatment.
Danielle Martin, M.S.N., R.N., the coordinator of the Chest Pain Program at Texas Health Cleburne, expressed the significance of this certification as a testament to their commitment and ability to provide quality care to individuals who seek their services.
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Martin, in his role as program coordinator, diligently examines patient charts, meticulously monitors crucial cardiac metrics, and ensures that hospital staff are equipped with informative educational material.
“We have implemented effective procedures and processes to ensure that patients receive high-quality cardiac care,” she stated. “Texas Health’s protocols enable the prompt transfer of individuals to one of their Fort Worth hospitals for advanced procedures when critically ill patients need them,” a spokesperson for Texas Health stated.
In a recent report released by the Texas Department of State Health Services, it was revealed that over 69,000 individuals in Texas were hospitalized due to heart attacks between 2008 and 2019. The statistics, published in 2020, shed light on the alarming number of Texans affected by this serious medical condition. With the alarming statistic that someone in the U.S. experiences a heart attack every 40 seconds, Texas Health Resources has made a dedicated effort to address the needs of North Texans in their own communities.
“Texas Health and physicians on the medical staff strive to deliver life-saving interventions and treatments to patients during their most critical moments,” stated Samantha Harris, D.O., an emergency medicine physician at Texas Health Cleburne.
