CLEBURNE, Texas — For the second consecutive year, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne has earned Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® and the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark for Acute Heart Attack Ready certification*.

“This distinction truly demonstrates how collective commitment can lead to successful results,” said Christopher Leu, Texas Health Cleburne president. “We’re grateful for the national recognition, but our focus and gratification come from providing our community with what they need and deserve, which is consistent, high-quality cardiac care.”

During the virtual survey, a reviewer evaluated the quality of the hospital’s treatment of acute coronary syndrome — described as various conditions that cause sudden reductions in blood flow to the heart — and STEMI, one of the most common and lethal types of heart attacks. STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, is caused by a main artery in the heart being completely blocked.

The Acute Heart Attack Ready program verifies that programs:

• Meet standards promoting the highest level of commitment to consistent and optimal heart attack care.
• Focus on symptom onset and first medical contact, emergency medical services, the emergency department and inpatient settings.

More than 200,000 residents call Johnson County home, and as its population grows, so does the need for care close to home for high-acuity cardiac patients. Unfortunately, adults living in rural areas are more likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol compared with those living in large U.S. cities. The disparity shows how difficult circumstances and social factors can negatively impact cardiovascular health and increase inflammation in the body.

“This certification demonstrates our ability to care for individuals when they arrive at our door,” said Danielle Martin, M.S.N., R.N., LSSWB, CPHQ, Quality director at Texas Health Cleburne. “We provide individuals with noninvasive cardiac testing, follow-up care with cardiologists on our medical staff and resources that empower patients to improve their cardiovascular health. We really are the small hospital everyone knows and has grown to love.”

Knowing that someone in the U.S. has a heart attack every 40 seconds, Texas Health Resources is committed to meeting the needs of North Texans where they live. Having acute care Texas Health facilities less than 30 minutes away offers an extra layer of emergency services and reassurance for cardiac patients.

“When necessary for critically ill patients who require more advanced lifesaving procedures, our well-established protocols also enable us to immediately transfer individuals to either one of Texas Health’s Fort Worth hospitals,” Martin said.

“Maintaining this certification is a testament to how Texas Health Cleburne provides Johnson County with timely, effective care,” Martin added. “From the entire care team to our dedicated volunteers, we are fully invested in serving our community every single day.”

To learn how Texas Health is advancing cardiovascular care throughout North Texas, click here.

*Joint Commission partnered with the American Heart Association to develop different cardiac certification levels to represent the services an organization can provide for patients experiencing chest pain related to acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Acute Heart Attack Ready organizations provide emergency cardiac services and refer patients to higher levels of care and additional services as appropriate.