What is Chest Pain Accreditation?


SCPC's methodology for improvement is a self-assessment and an external peer assessment. We accumulate data, evaluate the level of performance and suggest ways to build in quality, cut costs and improve customer satisfaction … all at the same time.


Why get CPC Accredited?


The Society inaugurated an accreditation process to evaluate the care surrounding the treatment of patients who present with symptoms of a heart attack.

The intent is to ensure facilities meet quality-of-care measures based on improving the process for the care of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patient.

Chest Pain Center Accreditation is an operational model for ACS care. The care starts from the onset of the patient's symptoms, and includes engagement of Emergency Dispatch Services, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Department and Catheterization Lab, observation unit, cardiac rehab and discharge from the facility. Within this model, facilities can plan and organize the delivery of care in a systematic manner.

Hospitals derive the same successes from using process improvement tools as more traditional industries. Because Chest Pain Center Accreditation is a process improvement experience, participating facilities are left with more efficient, effective organizations in addition to achieving improved patient outcomes.

SCPC's approach to Chest Pain Center Accreditation is radically different from accreditation processes that set specifications and then measure compliance.

Our Review Specialists are collaborative and provide feedback, education and resources to assist the facility in addressing gaps and improving processes. If facilities are successful improving the care of the ACS patient, it supports our mission to reduce heart attack deaths.

The Accreditation process begins with the Accreditation Tool, a document detailing the Key Elements critical to the care of the patient with symptoms of ACS.

The tool is derived from peer-reviewed literature, professional society guidelines and the body of clinical acumen of participating clinicians. The review criteria are a product of many leading professional societies such as:


  • American College of Cardiology
  • American Heart Association
  • American College of Cardiovascular Administrators
  • Emergency Nurses Association


Accredited Hospitals

The Best Heart Hospitals


Need to find the best heart hospitals in the world? Our hospitals listed have passed rigorous testing and process improvement to become recognized as one of the Society's elite accredited facilities.


Find accredited facilities in:


The Gap Analysis


A gap analysis can be performed using the Accreditation Tool. This analysis is fundamental to creating an operational model that will include strategic planning, budgeting, clinical pathways, and education. The gap analysis will provide a road-map to improve processes.




Q+A: Donna Hunn

Accreditation Clinical Manager


Donna L. Hunn, RN, MSc, MAN, ANP-C, joined the Society with an extensive background in Clinical Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research and academia. As a Adult Nurse Practitioner with a Masters of Science degree in Cardiology, she brings a unique skill set to the Society's Accreditation team and is responsible for the ongoing vision of Chest Pain Center Accreditation.

We know Chest Pain Center Accreditation is a process and there are a lot of questions. If you can’t find your answers in our FAQs, send us a message.


What’s the vision for the ACS service line? That is, where do you want to take it?

My vision for the ACS service line is to extend our focus beyond the STEMI patient and help hospitals improve the care of the NSTEMI/UA and low-risk patient. In most cases, these processes seem to be less well established.
There are no national registries to know what is happening with the low-risk patient. If we can capture some of these metrics, we can provide useful data on standards of care for this group of individuals. Through our tool, we have helped hospitals “hardwire” the care they deliver to STEMI patients. We need to now focus our attention on the 80% of the ACS population that is not STEMI.

Read more about Chest Pain Accreditaion from Donna Hunn.



Frequently Asked Questions


We know Accreditation is a process and there are a lot of questions. If you can't find your answers in our FAQs, send us a message, or call into our weekly conference call Mondays at 1 p.m. at 1-888-223-6744 for current clients and customers.

Want to learn more?

I want to talk to someone about the toolkit.

I'd like to set an appointment to talk to someone about answering my questions regarding the process.

 

I have a single clinical question.







HF v2.0 Registration

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Attend Bootcamp


Become a coordinator and learn how to guide your hospital through the accreditation process





Attend Workshop


SCPC offers several workshops to help your hospital reach its goals for accreditation




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Formerly known as the Society of Chest Pain Centers, the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care will focus on facility accreditation and certification for Chest Pain Centers, Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), Heart Failure (HF), and Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib). In addition, SCPC will provide certification for Chest Pain Center Coordinators, nurses, administrators and Chief Financial Officers looking to be compliant with CMS guidelines for Quality, Cost and Customer Satisfaction.