Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Earns Highest National Heart Care Accreditation
DULUTH, MN – Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Centre has once again achieved a prestigious national designation, being reaccredited by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) as a Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous coronary Intervention (PCI) and Resuscitation.this recognition underscores the hospital’s dedication to providing rapid, evidence-based care for heart attack patients and those needing emergency resuscitation.
St. Mary’s is the only hospital in Minnesota to hold this comprehensive accreditation, signifying a commitment to the highest standards in cardiovascular emergency treatment.The ACC’s rigorous process assesses facilities on critical performance indicators, notably door-to-balloon times – the timeframe for opening a blocked artery with a balloon catheter – requiring performance under 90 minutes for primary PCI. St. Mary’s consistently met and exceeded these national benchmarks.
“This reaccreditation reflects the relentless commitment of our regional EMS partners, cardiology, emergency and critical care teams,” said Essentia’s STEMI program specialist, Krysta Kaas.”From the moment a patient arrives with chest pain, every second is optimized, thanks to seamless communication and collaboration with EMS, real-time EKG transmission and 24/7 catheterization lab readiness.”
The accreditation highlights Essentia’s proactive approach to cardiac care, extending beyond the hospital walls. The hospital invests in community outreach, annually training over 500 regional EMS staff on vital skills.
Achieving the Chest Pain Center designation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation represents the ACC’s highest level of recognition. fewer than 15% of accredited centers across the nation attain this dual distinction, demonstrating a facility’s capability to perform emergency angioplasty and stenting alongside comprehensive resuscitation services.
“Reaccreditation isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s a commitment to our community,” Kaas emphasized. “whether it’s a rural Cloquet resident or a visitor in Canal Park, they can trust St. Mary’s to deliver lifesaving cardiac care at 3 a.m. just as effectively as 3 p.m. we’re hear when you need us.”
St. Mary’s Medical Center serves as a critical resource for complex cardiac cases throughout northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.
Anyone experiencing chest pain or heart attack symptoms is urged to call 911 instantly. More information on Essentia’s comprehensive cardiovascular services can be found at essentiahealth.org/heart.
