Two Arkansas Hospitals Become State’s First Non-PCI Hospitals to Earn Acute Heart Attack Ready Certification

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) announced that Baptist Health Medical Center - Hot Spring County and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center have earned Acute Heart Attack Ready certification through Joint Commission. They are the first non-percutaneous coronary intervention capable hospitals to demonstrate their ability to quickly recognize and treat a heart attack and rapidly transfer patients for advanced cardiac care when needed.

"During a heart attack, every minute matters," Bala Simon, MD, DrPH, MPH, FAAFP, FACPM, the ADH's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said. "We commend Baptist Health Medical Center - Hot Spring County and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center for their commitment to strengthening heart attack care in their communities. This certification demonstrates that these hospitals have the processes in place to quickly identify and treat patients with heart attack and coordinate timely transfer when more advanced care is needed."

The certification initiative is a collaborative effort among the ADH, the American Heart Association, and Joint Commission to strengthen heart attack care across Arkansas. The ADH supported participating hospitals throughout the certification process, with funding made possible through the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant.

ADH is currently offering funding and technical assistance to additional hospitals interested in pursuing Acute Heart Attack Ready certification. For details, visit the ADH Grant & Bid Opportunities webpage and select "DH-27-0002: Heart Attack Designation."

Click here to view press release in Spanish.