The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Houston Healthcare – Warner Robins for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to a cardiac cath lab for care, including diagnostic catheterizations and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. Houston Healthcare – Warner Robins was awarded Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI in April 2025 based on a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who come to the cardiac cath lab.

Percutaneous coronary intervention, also known as coronary angioplasty, is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

Hospitals that have proven exceptional competency in treating patients who require cardiac catheterization have standardized their assessment process for patients before undergoing catheterization to ensure quality and patient safety. They ensure that care in the procedure room for sedation, infection control, radiation safety, universal protocol, and time out procedures is fully coordinated. They have also mastered the appropriate transfer to a cath recovery unit to better monitor and track complications, enhance physician-to-patient communication, patient family communication, discharge instructions, and follow-up information.

“Houston Healthcare – Warner Robins has demonstrated its commitment to providing Houston County and surrounding areas 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 Houston County – Warner Robins with Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI.”

Hospitals receiving Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI 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 care of cath 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 improved patient outcomes.

“We are honored to receive this accreditation from the American College of Cardiology,” says Anna Boyd, BSN, RN, director of Cardiovascular Services at Houston Healthcare – Warner Robins. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire heart team—from physicians and nurses to technologists and support staff—who work tirelessly to deliver exceptional, evidence-based care. Our community can trust that when minutes matter most, they have access to nationally recognized heart care, right here at home.”

At the heart of this achievement is the Houston Heart Institute, located at Houston Healthcare – Warner Robins. With two high-tech cath labs, a dedicated vascular lab, and around-the-clock availability for cardiac emergencies, the Houston Heart Institute provides care for a wide range of heart and circulatory conditions.

The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Houston Healthcare – Warner Robins 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 cath lab.