Hamilton Medical Center cardiology associates pictured, from left: Trista Welch, Hayley Arnold, Ateet Patel, MD, Anand Kenia, MD, Crystal Marcus and Abbie Sanford
The American College of Cardiology has recognized Hamilton Medical Center for its "demonstrated expertise and commitment" in treating patients who come to an electrophysiology (EP) lab for care.
Officials said, "HMC was awarded electrophysiology accreditation based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the EP lab. HMC is the only hospital within a 90-mile radius of Dalton and the region’s I-75 corridor – including Chattanooga and Atlanta – to hold this accreditation.
"HMC’s electrophysiology lab provides care for patients with heart rhythm disturbances and offers treatments including cardiac ablations, atrial fibrillation and implantable devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
The lab provides cutting-edge therapies and devices as well, such as complex cardiac ablation, leadless pacing and cardiac contractility modulation therapy for heart failure."
“Hamilton Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing those in the Dalton and surrounding area with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Hamilton with electrophysiology accreditation.”
Officials said, "Hospitals receiving electrophysiology accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves: completing a gap analysis, examining variances of care, developing an action plan, a rigorous onsite review and monitoring for sustained success. Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the precise care of EP lab patients. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes and more effective and efficient disease control.
"The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like HMC 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 the cath lab."