Southern Regional Medical Center has received the 2019 Mission: Lifeline® – STEMI Receiving Center – Gold Achievement Award Hospital, the highest-level award, for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. The hospital earned this recognition by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for quick and appropriate treatment through emergency procedures to re-establish blood flow to blocked arteries in heart attack patients coming into the hospital directly or by transfer from another facility.
“Southern Regional has been a pioneer in providing quality cardiac care to the southern crescent community,” stated Dr. Vikram Mandadi, Southern Regional Medical Center Chief Medical Officer and Interventional Cardiologist. “Earning the Gold-standard for cardiac care shows that we continue to meet and exceed these standards for the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
Every year, 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. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.
“Southern Regional is dedicated to providing optimal care for heart attack patients and this award reflects the hard work and commitment of our cardiovascular team,” said Charlotte W. Dupré, President and CEO of Southern Regional Medical Center. “We are pleased to be recognized for our achievements in cardiac care through Mission: Lifeline and are proud to continue to provide the highest level of care for heart attack patients.”
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 9-1-1 call, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. The initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines.
“We commend Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, GA, for this award in recognition for following evidence-based guidelines for timely heart attack treatment,” said Tim Henry, M.D., Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “We applaud the significant institutional commitment to their critical role in the system of care for quickly and appropriately treating heart attack patients.”