Historic Certification in Cardiac Care Awarded to South Texas Health System Freestanding Emergency Departments
South Texas Health System ER Weslaco, Mission, and Monte Cristo become the first and only certified freestanding emergency departments in the state of Texas and second in the nation for Cardiac Care
The American College of Cardiology has awarded South Texas Health System ER Weslaco, South Texas Health System ER Mission, and South Texas Health System ER Monte Cristo with the Freestanding ED Cardiac Care Certificate. This recognition, and achievement, is historic since these three South Texas Health System freestanding emergency departments are the first and only in the state of Texas to receive this designation and the second in the nation.
Freestanding emergency departments, or FEDs, that are chest pain certified are held to higher standards of care and service for patients experiencing cardiac related symptoms, such as chest pain, rapid heart rate, dizziness/faint feeling, among other systems of heart disease.
“The FED Cardiac Care certification reflects the accomplishments of a multidisciplinary team of experts including local EMS providers, physicians, nurses, lab technicians, diagnostic imaging technicians and registration staff in each South Texas Health System FED,” shared Chuck Stark, Regional Vice President, Universal Health Services. “We are proud of this recognition from the American College of Cardiology and are humbled by the privilege we have at South Texas Health System to support this dedicated team of professionals as they provide their highest level of care to all patients with whom they interact.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain and discomfort. Our newly certified Cardiac Care FEDs are strategically located in Weslaco, Mission, and Edinburg and are easily accessible 24/7 to residents seeking quality medical care with shorter wait times to see a physician.
Three additional South Texas Health System FEDs located in Alamo, McAllen and Edinburg are now pursuing the same FED Cardiac Care certification, as we continue our journey to become nationally recognized for our clinical outcomes and world-class patient experience.