NorthBay Medical Center learned in early August its new status as an accredited Chest Pain Center.

“The Chest Pain designation represents one more very important advancement in Solano County in the treatment of acute cardiac disease,” said NorthBay Healthcare President/CEO Gary Passama. “It is a perfect example of our commitment to compassionate care, advanced medicine, close to home. We at NorthBay take care of our families, friends and neighbors and they deserve the best possible care when a cardiac emergency occurs. Now there is no doubt that the best care is at NorthBay Medical Center.”

There are now 17 California hospitals, and 500 worldwide, designated as chest pain centers. The accreditation is for three years, and requires that facilities meet requirements in eight key processes of a chest pain center.

“I’m thrilled and most appreciative of everyone who served on the Chest Pain Center Committee and contributed to the process, change, data monitoring and program development,” said Pat Wentworth, director of emergency services.

NorthBay Medical Center’s Emergency Department—in its role as part of NorthBay’s Heart & Vascular Center—underwent an intensive review of services provided to chest pain patients in July.

Auditors from the Society of Chest Pain Centers spent the day with emergency staff, the Cardiac Cath Lab staff and EMS workers before paying a short visit to TCU.

Such a designation means that NorthBay Medical Center has been determined to deliver best practices, which contribute to better outcomes when caring for patients with chest pain.