Through disease management and accreditation processes, SCPC is "Taking Science to the Bedside.” The concept of creating a chest pain center (CPC) in every hospital was presented in the late 1980s as a strategy to significantly reduce heart attack deaths through the rapid treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction.
In 2000, the growth of the CPC was almost halted when the Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA) created a new policy that observation services in the emergency department were not going to be reimbursed.
After the ruling was reversed, HCFA administrators requested additional information in order to discern “Accredited” facilities from those that used this phrase as a marketing term.
The Accreditation Process was based on the “Eight Key Elements of a Chest Pain Center” previously published in the American Journal of Cardiology.
[2] Developed in 1985, this education is shared worldwide to help people recognize the early signs in order to prevent a heart attack from occurring in themselves or others.
I solemnly swear that if it happens to me or anyone I know, I will call 9-1-1 or activate our Emergency Medical Services.” In May 2012, SCPC expands educational resources to the public at large by releasing BestHeartHospital App for Apple and Android platforms that can be downloaded directly to a phone, tablet or computer.