Looking Ahead: The American College of Cardiology Accreditation’s impact on the Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre’s vision

August 2023 – Last year, Lenmed Ethekwini Private Hospital and Heart Centre was recognised by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment to treating patients with heart attacks.

As the first hospital in Africa to be awarded a Chest Pain Centre Accreditation with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), the acknowledgement came about after rigorous evaluation of the team’s ability to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

With more than a year later since the Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre demonstrated extraordinary skill in urgently treating patients with heart attack symptoms and meeting the stringent requirements set out by ACC, it has taken this guide to help it grow from strength to strength while providing quality care to patients.

Hospital CEO, Niresh Bechan shared what the accolade has meant for the hospital saying;

“We are proud of the fact that Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre has played a vital role in treating patients who suffer from heart attacks. This is mainly because of the joint efforts of the existing partnerships between emergency services, general practitioners, pathology, physicians, the complete network, and ourstaff. All these role players have helped ensure that we maintain the holistic efforts and mechanisms in place for early intervention, comprehensive patient care and post-discharge requirements for recovery. And with consistency, as well as results yielded from the work put in during the year that was, we want to continue this trajectory.”

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 225 South Africans die from either heart disease or a stroke every day. With that, it is important to note that every second counts hence prompt medical attention and the earlier one gets help, the lesser the risk of heart muscle damage.

The hospital team highlights that while there were systems in place, following the accreditation by the American College of Cardiology, the various processes and protocols were streamlined and standardised. Since then, there have been many strides made with notable ones being of a patient being taken to the cath lab in 12 minutes and blocked arteries being opened in 27 minutes.

Reflecting on how the accolade’s alignment with the Lenmed Group’s purpose of creating healthier and prosperous communities, Group CEO, Amil Devchand said;

“Many of our hospitals’ house centres of excellence and the Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre is one such institution. The work we do has been amplified immensely over the last year – this is why will continue, with the aid of the dedication of our cardiologists and clinical teams, saving lives and improving our patient’s quality of life. Furthermore, as the first hospital in Africa to have received this accreditation, we want to uphold the guidelines set out by the American College of Cardiology, inspire and make a tangible difference in our continent.”

For Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre, the seal received from ACC is more than a logo. It means better patient outcomes and healthier and prosperous communities. Patients get discharged sooner and can return to work sooner. The care for the health of the community also involves community education, awareness, and training programmes.

As the hospital looks to the future is clear that the success stories are a true testament to a carefully coordinated patient journey and the commitment to better patient outcomes.

Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre is part of the Lenmed Group which proudly manages and owns 18 hospitals in 4 African countries.

The Lenmed Group is a world-class group of Private Hospitals that brings quality healthcare to communities across Africa.