Hospital recipient of American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® for NSTEMI and STEMI Receiving
Southern Regional has once again earned Gold. The hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Gold Achievement Awards for NSTEMI and STEMI – Receiving Center for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks more efficiently and rapidly.
Each year more than 490,000 people experience a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), caused by a partial blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. Additionally, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. In both cases it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication to prevent death
“Southern Regional Medical Center is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to helping our patients have the best possible chance of survival and after a NSTEMI and STEMI event,” stated Vikram Mandadi, MD, Cardiologist and Southern Regional’s Medical Director of the Chest Pain Center and Chief Medical Officer. “Southern Regional has been a pioneer in providing quality cardiac care on the south side and we continue to meet, and these awards reflects the dedication and hard work of our cardiovascular team who continually provide high quality, evidence-based care for heart attack patients.”
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination at the individual hospital, EMS and system level.
“When someone experiences a NSTEMI heart attack, American Heart Association guidelines call for specific actions in the hospital, as well as appropriate medications and cardiac rehab activities following a hospital stay,” said Alice Jacobs, professor of medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and American Heart Association volunteer chair, GWTG-CAD Systems of Care Advisory Work Group. “Hospitals/Organizations like Southern Regional are recognized for consistently providing patients with guidance, medication and rehabilitation opportunities that help the patient have the best chance of preventing another cardiac event.”
In recognition of earning the Gold STEMI – Receiving Award, Tim Henry, MD, Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee stated “EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks. Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.”
Program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care for NSTEMI patients and for STEMI patients.
“Southern Regional is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Charlotte W. Dupré, President and CEO of Southern Regional Medical Center. “Our team is dedicated to The Mission: Lifeline program that institutes proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”