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The American College of Cardiology has recognized ER at Anna and ER at Sherman, both services of Texoma Medical Center, for their demonstrated expertise and commitment to treating patients with chest pain. ER at Anna and ER at Sherman were both awarded Chest Pain Center Certification for Freestanding Emergency Departments in November 2024 based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

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 for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center Certification for Freestanding Emergency Departments have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have processes in place for immediate transfer to a Primary PCI-capable hospital or fibrinolytic administration prior to transfer to reduce the patient's mortality risk.

“TMC’s ER at Anna and ER at Sherman have demonstrated commitment to providing the Texoma region with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award both TMC facilities with Chest Pain Center Certification for Freestanding Emergency Departments.”

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center Certification for Freestanding Emergency Departments from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves completing a gap analysis, examining variances of care, developing an action plan, conducting a rigorous onsite review and monitoring for sustained success. Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Facilities that achieve certification meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have an organized team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including emergency treatment of heart attacks.