UP Health System – Marquette Recognized for Excellence with Renewal of Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI

Providing necessary, high-quality care to cardiac cath lab patients close to home

ACC Accreditation Services, the accrediting arm of the American College of Cardiology, has recognized UP Health System – Marquette, a Duke LifePoint hospital, for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to a cardiac cath lab for care, including diagnostic catheterizations and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. UP Health System – Marquette once again received the Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI earlier this year in 2021 based on a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the cardiac cath lab.

In Spring 2018, UP Health System – Marquette was the first hospital in the state of Michigan to earn this accreditation and the tenth in the nation. UP Health System – Marquette is the only hospital in the region to be awarded both the Cardiac Cath Lab with PCI Accreditation as well as the Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 805,000 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 receiving Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI 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.

“UP Health System – Marquette has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Upper Peninsula 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 UPHS – Marquette with Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI.”

“Achieving this accreditation was a tremendous effort made by our entire team,” said Robert Kroll, Cath Lab Director at UP Health System – Marquette. “We provide evidenced-based world-class heart and vascular services right here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I’m incredibly proud of our organization. This achievement speaks to the quality of not only the Cath Lab but the entire Heart and Vascular service line. Our community has benefited and will continue to benefit from this effort.”

UP Health System – Marquette provides comprehensive cardiovascular services including general cardiology, diagnostic testing, diagnostic and interventional cardiology, clinical research, electrophysiology, rehabilitation, vascular care, and open-heart surgery. As a Duke Health Affiliate for Heart and Vascular care, UP Health System – Marquette collaborates with the Duke Heart Network to optimize patient outcomes, promote evidence-based medicine, improve community health, and facilitate access to clinical research.

For more information on UP Health System – Marquette’s heart and vascular services or to take a heart health assessment, visit MGH.org/Heart.