Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) is the first in New York State to receive accreditation of its cardiac cathererization by the American College of Cardiology (ACC). This accreditation recognizes MVHS’s demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to the Cardiac Cath Lab for care.
MVHS was awarded the Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation based on a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the Cardiac Cath Lab. Hospitals that have proven exceptional competency in treating patients who require cardiac catheterization have standardized their assessment process for patients before undergoing catheterization to ensure quality and patient safety. They ensure that care in the procedure room for sedation, infection control, radiation safety, universal protocol and time out procedures is fully coordinated. They have mastered the appropriate transfer to a cath recovery unit to better monitor and track complications, enhance physician-to-patient communication, patient family communication, discharge instructions and follow-up information.
“MVHS has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Mohawk Valley with excellent heart care,” said Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award MVHS with Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation.”
Hospitals receiving Cardiac Cath Lab 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 care of cath 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 improved patient outcomes.
