Little Rock, Arkansas – Two Arkansas hospitals have become the first facilities in the state without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capabilities to earn Acute Heart Attack Ready certification, marking an important development in efforts to improve emergency cardiac care.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) announced that Baptist Health Medical Center – Hot Spring County and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center received the certification through The Joint Commission.
The recognition demonstrates that both hospitals have established procedures to rapidly identify and treat patients experiencing heart attacks and arrange timely transfers to facilities offering more advanced cardiac treatment when necessary.
Hospitals without PCI capabilities do not perform certain specialized procedures used to restore blood flow to the heart. However, their ability to recognize a cardiac emergency, begin appropriate treatment, and coordinate transfers remains an essential part of the emergency care system.
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State health officials emphasized that rapid medical attention can make a significant difference when someone experiences a heart attack.
“During a heart attack, every minute matters,” Bala Simon, MD, DrPH, MPH, FAAFP, FACPM, the ADH’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said. “We commend Baptist Health Medical Center – Hot Spring County and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center for their commitment to strengthening heart attack care in their communities. This certification demonstrates that these hospitals have the processes in place to quickly identify and treat patients with heart attack and coordinate timely transfer when more advanced care is needed.”
The certification recognizes the importance of having organized procedures in place before a patient arrives with a serious cardiac emergency.
For hospitals that cannot provide every form of advanced heart attack treatment on-site, coordination with other medical facilities is especially important.
The ability to recognize symptoms, initiate care, and arrange a transfer without unnecessary delays can help patients reach the appropriate level of treatment.
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The certification initiative is part of a collaborative effort involving the Arkansas Department of Health, the American Heart Association, and The Joint Commission.
The organizations are working together to strengthen heart attack care across Arkansas by encouraging hospitals to establish and maintain processes that support timely emergency treatment.
ADH provided assistance to participating hospitals during the certification process, with funding made available through the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant.
State officials are also encouraging additional hospitals to pursue Acute Heart Attack Ready certification.
The department is currently offering funding and technical assistance to eligible facilities interested in participating in the program.
Hospitals seeking additional information can visit the Arkansas Department of Health Grant and Bid Opportunities page and look for the opportunity identified as DH-27-0002: Heart Attack Designation.
The recognition of the two hospitals represents a step toward expanding the number of Arkansas medical facilities prepared to respond effectively to heart attacks, including those that must transfer patients for specialized procedures.
Additional details about the announcement are available through the Arkansas Department of Health.
