PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to an electrophysiology (EP) lab for care. PMC was awarded Electrophysiology Accreditation this February based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the EP lab.
Electrophysiology labs provide care for patients with arrythmias and may employ treatments such as cardiac ablation and devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
“Pikeville Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing Eastern Kentucky 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 PMC with Electrophysiology Accreditation.”
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, along with an organized team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts. This leads to better patient education, improved patient outcomes and more effective disease control.
“Where you live should never determine if you live and as a Pikeville native, this work is deeply personal to me,” said Chase Reynolds, MD, Chief of Staff, Cardiac Electrophysiology Director and Chair of Cardiac Care Services. “At the Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky, we are committed to staying at the forefront of innovation, medical advancements and excellence in cardiovascular care.”
The Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC offers expert care for patients with irregular heart rhythms and related symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness or shortness of breath. The electrophysiology team, including specialists such as Drs. Chase Reynolds, Rahul Dhawan and Joseph Souza, focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions of the heart’s electrical system, using advanced technologies such as pulsed field ablation (PFA), hybrid atrial fibrillation therapy and innovative treatments like the WATCHMAN implant to reduce stroke risk from atrial fibrillation (AFib). These comprehensive services are designed to pinpoint rhythm issues and provide tailored treatments to restore a healthy heartbeat.
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals, like PMC, 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 EP lab.
