The American College of Cardiology has recognized St. Mary’s Hospital for its
demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. St. Mary’s was awarded
Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI in December based on rigorous onsite evaluation of
the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
This is the third time in a row that St. Mary’s has achieved 3-year Chest Pain
Center accreditation from ACC.

“Maintaining St. Mary’ accreditation as a Chest Pain Center requires a
tremendous and ongoing commitment to implementing constantly improving
standards and best practices,” said Montez Carter, President and CEO of St.
Mary’s Health Care System. “Accreditation assures our patients, providers and
community that we are providing the highest level of heart attack care
possible, day-in and day-out.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than
730,000 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. 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.
Women are more likely to have these other symptoms.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked
coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or to reduce heart damage during
or after a heart attack. PCI is also known as coronary angioplasty and includes implanting a spring-like
device called a stent into the artery to keep it open after the balloon is withdrawn.

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven
exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available
24/7 every day of the year. As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, they have
streamlined their systems from admission to evaluation to diagnosis and treatment. Their services
extend all the way through to appropriate post-discharge care along with recommendations and

St. Mary’s accredited as Chest Pain Center assistance in helping patients make lifestyle changes. In addition, accredited facilities have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI.

“St. Mary’s Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing Northeast Georgia 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 St. Mary’s with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI
Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation 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, completing 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 patients experiencing the signs and
symptoms of a heart attack. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent
criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and administrative staff who earnestly
support these efforts, leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.

St. Mary’s cardiac services include not only emergency and non-emergency PCI, but electrophysiology,
heart failure care, device implantation and follow-up, state-of-the-art diagnostics, inpatient care, cardiac
rehabilitation, wellness services, research, a cardio-oncology program, and outpatient care through
Oconee Heart and Vascular Center, with multiple offices across the region.
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation
services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These
services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including emergency treatment of heart attacks.