Union-Bulletin

WALLA WALLA -- The Society of Chest Pain Centers has granted the designation of Accredited Chest Pain Center to Walla Walla General Hospital, making it the eighth such center in the state.

"The society's seal of accreditation is an important distinction for Walla Walla General Hospital," said Dr. David Woolever, chief medical officer at WWGH, in a news release.

"This accreditation certifies that our hospital and staff are totally prepared to care for patients with heart attack symptoms more quickly during the critical early stages of a heart attack when treatments are more effective and patients recover more easily."

Chest pain is among the top symptoms of patients who visit the WWGH Emergency Center.

The new designation ensures that any patient who arrives at WWGH complaining of chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack can be confident he or she is receiving care that meets or exceeds the highest national standards of care.

Hospitals that have received SCPC accreditation have achieved a higher level of expertise and constantly emphasize the importance of standardized diagnostic and treatment programs.

In the region, only Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland shares the designation.

The remaining accredited chest pain centers are in Spokane, Yakima and in Western Washington.