Myocardial Infarction Quality Indicators
Chest Pain Center Certification
The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) promotes the use of clinical practices that have been tested through research. These clinical practices support optimal care of patients experiencing chest pain. According to the SCPC, observation of carefully selected emergency patients has been extensively studied and shown to provide improved health care outcomes, including:
- A tenfold decrease in the error rate for "missed myocardial infarction" (the rate at which heart attack patients are inappropriately sent home)
- A reduction in healthcare costs by one-half to one-third
- A reduction in patient length of stay
- An improvement in patient satisfaction
Chest Pain Centers follow research-tested protocols to deliver care to patients with chest pain. Chest pain care often begins in an emergency department but may also include additional service areas such as cardiac catheterization, radiology or surgery.
Does UVa have a Chest Pain Center that is accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers?
Yes. UVa's accredited Chest Pain Center was established in the Emergency Department in 1992 and is the only accredited chest pain center in the region. The Society of Chest Pain Centers reaffirmed UVa's accreditation in February of 2006.
UVa's Chest Pain Center uses a risk-based triage system, employing cardiac market test results and cardiac consultation to match a patient's acuity and appropriate setting of care. Our "response to treatment" protocols meet and exceed national standards in rapid response time.
