BEDFORD, Texas — Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® and the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Heart Attack Center Certification. This is the first time the hospital has received this recognition.

“It validates our commitment to cardiovascular care and reflects the work of our dedicated caregivers, who go above and beyond each day to address the critical healthcare needs of North Texans,” said Jared Shelton, FACHE, president of Texas Health HEB.

To earn the prestigious certification, the hospital’s care team demonstrated expertise in addressing the needs of and treating heart attack patients quickly and efficiently.

“We congratulate Texas Health for this outstanding achievement,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “This certification recognizes health care organizations that provide the highest quality of care for cardiac patients.”

The certification requires health facilities to complete a rigorous, on-site review by The Joint Commission. As a Primary Heart Attack Center, Texas Health HEB has shown that it has the resources and personnel to provide primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) — a procedure used to address blocked arteries — to heart attack patients, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association, another key characteristic of the Primary Heart Attack Center Program includes focusing on symptom onset and first medical contact (pre-hospital and upon arrival), emergency medical services, the Emergency Department, as well as catheterization laboratories and inpatient settings.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.