Baptist Health Paducah earns reaccreditation as Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has granted Baptist Health Paducah reaccreditation as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation, recognizing the hospital’s expertise in evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients with heart attack symptoms.

The accreditation, awarded in August after a rigorous onsite review, confirms the hospital’s 24/7 readiness to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty, and its compliance with national chest pain center protocols. Baptist Health Paducah also maintains a robust hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest care and follows a “No Diversion Policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

“Baptist Health Paducah has demonstrated its commitment to providing Paducah and surrounding areas with excellent heart care,” said Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Baptist Health Paducah with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. Chest pain is the most common symptom, though women are more likely to experience atypical signs such as unusual fatigue, nausea, or discomfort in the jaw, back or arms.

Amy Osbron, STEMI Program Coordinator at Baptist Health Paducah, said the hospital’s mission is to ensure access to high-quality cardiac care close to home. “Our process of taking care of the patient starts before they even arrive,” she said. “We educate the community on the signs of heart attacks and the importance of calling 911 immediately. Time is crucial, and our goal is to save heart muscle, restore blood flow quickly, and support patients through recovery and cardiac rehab.”

Baptist Health Paducah has invested in community outreach, streamlined treatment processes and ongoing education to improve outcomes for cardiac patients. The reaccreditation process involved a gap analysis, action planning, onsite evaluation, and sustained monitoring to ensure compliance with national standards.

The ACC provides accreditation services to hospitals across the U.S. and internationally, with programs aimed at improving outcomes in cardiac care, including emergency treatment of heart attacks.