Doylestown Health Recognized for Excellence with ACC Electrophysiology Accreditation

The American College of Cardiology recognized Doylestown Health for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to an electrophysiology (EP) lab for care. Doylestown Hospital was awarded Electrophysiology Accreditation in June 2021 based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the EP lab.

Doylestown Hospital is one of only 23 hospitals in the U.S. to earn this accreditation.

Electrophysiology labs provide care for patients with arrythmias (irregular heartbeats) and may employ treatments such as cardiac ablation and implantable devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

“Receiving ACC accreditation for Doylestown Hospital’s EP lab reflects our relentless pursuit of quality, consistency, and safety,” said John Harding, MD, Medical Director of EP Lab. “It’s been an honor to work with the dedicated nurses, cardiovascular specialists, administrators and physician colleagues to grow our program.”

Doylestown Hospital’s Electrophysiology program includes two dedicated EP labs. Since its inception in 2001, the program has grown significantly. The team has grown from three to five physicians and a dedicated staff of 17 with many years of experience. Doylestown Hospital is a high-volume center providing a full complement of procedures, including ablation of atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Volumes and outcomes are comparable to major academic centers.

“This accreditation is a benchmark that shows the quality and safety of our program,” said Michele Clugston, CVT, RCIS, director of Cath/EP/Vascular Labs at Doylestown Hospital.

“It serves as a testament to the technical skill and knowledge of our physicians and team,” added April Henrysen, RN, BSN, clinical manager of EP. “This is a reassurance of quality for our patients, now and in the future. We will continue to look at process improvements.”

Clugston described the “team-based approach” as a “particular strength of our program that includes education, empowerment of all members of the team, and the latest evidence-based care.”

Physicians perform about 500 ablations per year, including cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation to treat atrial fibrillation. Earlier this year, the electrophysiology team were among the first in the United States to test a new type of ablation technology for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation in a clinical trial for Pulsed Field Ablation.

Physicians perform the full range of device implantations including leadless pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization and His bundle pacing, with more than 300 pacemaker/defibrillator procedures each year. Doylestown Hospital physicians perform left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion with the WATCHMAN device.

Physicians employ innovative technology and participate in clinical trials that help advance the field of EP. Doylestown Hospital is a Medtronic Hospital of Excellence whose physicians train other physicians from around the country.

“Doylestown Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to providing the Bucks County area 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 Doylestown Hospital with Electrophysiology Accreditation.”

Hospitals receiving Electrophysiology Accreditation 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; 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 precise care of EP lab patients. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes, and more effective and efficient disease control.

Doylestown Hospital is also accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center. The ACC first awarded Doylestown Hospital Chest Pain Center Accreditation with PCI in 2010 for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain who may be experiencing a heart attack.

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Doylestown Hospital 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 the EP lab. The EP accreditation is valid for three years.