Riverside Community Hospital Receives ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation

RCH provides necessary care, resources to patients with heart attack symptoms

Riverside, CA (6.7.2022) – The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Riverside Community Hospital, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Riverside Community Hospital was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI in May 2022 based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7, every day of the year. As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, they comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols and are equipped with a robust hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest treatment. These facilities also maintain a "No Diversion Policy" for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

“Riverside Community Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Inland Empire and surrounding regions excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Riverside Community Hospital with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involve 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 of guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. 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 and improved patient outcomes.

“This accreditation is another example of Riverside Community Hospital’s commitment to bringing world-class healthcare to the region,” said Sari Nabulsi, Chief Medical Officer, Riverside Community Hospital. “Expert care, for chest pain, cancer, stroke and more is right in your backyard. I am proud to be apart of a hospital that is changing the definition of what it means to be a community hospital.”    

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Riverside Community Hospital 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 emergency treatment of heart attacks.

Photo, L to R

William M. Suh, MD; Cardiologist

Remus Popa, MD; Internal Medicine

Sabrina Yamashiro, MSN, RN; Prehospital Liaison Nurse

Denise Palmatier, MSN, RN; Director, HeartCare Institute at RCH

Melissa Valenzuela, RN; Cardiovascular Quality Manager

Veronica Galvez, RN; Cardiovascular Data Analyst

Stephen Patterson, MD; Emergency Medicine

About Riverside Community Hospital

Riverside Community Hospital, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, is a full-service acute care hospital founded in 1901 in the heart of the Inland Empire. The facility has been recognized as a Top Performing Hospital with 478-licensed beds, over 900 physicians on medical staff and 2,500 employees, representing over 200 specialties.

Riverside Community Hospital is a leader in providing advanced, comprehensive healthcare to Southern California.  It houses the largest Emergency Room and Level I Trauma Center in Riverside County at 62 beds, is one of county’s only STEMI receiving centers, a fully accredited Chest Pain Center and an accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center.  Centers of Excellence include the HeartCare Institute, offering invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures, Comprehensive Transplant Program and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

For more information, visit RiversideCommunityHospital.com.

About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.