The Chest Pain Center reaccreditation is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the UNC Health Wayne team in delivering exceptional cardiac care. This renewed accreditation highlights the hospital’s continuous improvements in clinical practices, patient outcomes, and emergency response protocols. 

“We are honored to receive this recognition once again,” said Heidi Malez, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of UNC Health Wayne. “Our team is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care to our patients. This accreditation validates the hard work and commitment of our nursing staff in managing acute coronary syndrome cases with the utmost efficiency and compassion.” 

Dr. Brian Fillipo, MMM, FACP, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of UNC Health Wayne, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “Being named an accredited Chest Pain Center by U.S. News & World Report reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance cardiac care. Our comprehensive approach ensures that chest pain patients receive rapid and accurate diagnoses, followed by the most effective treatment plans. We are proud to be recognized for our excellence in emergency cardiac are.” 

UNC Health Wayne built on the strong foundation of its initial Chest Pain Center accreditation by introducing a Chest Pain Program Coordinator Carrie Stokes, RN, into its service line. This strategic enhancement ensures that patients receive comprehensive care from the moment they experience chest pain through all necessary interventions. As a vital resource for cardiac patients, the Cardiac Coordinator not only guides them through their treatment journey but also engages in community education initiatives, such as hands-only CPR training. Additionally, the Cardiac Coordinator monitors key metrics to ensure UNC Health Wayne continues to meet and exceed the standards set by national accreditation groups like the American College of Cardiology (ACC). 

The Chest Pain Center accreditation involves rigorous evaluation of the hospital’s ability to assess, diagnose, and treat chest pain in a timely manner. Accredited centers must show their proficiency in reducing treatment time during the critical early stages of a heart attack and their commitment to continuous quality improvement in patient care. 

UNC Health Wayne’s commitment to providing exceptional cardiac care is reinforced by this accolade. The hospital continues to invest in specialized training for its staff to maintain and exceed the standards set by the accreditation.