The American Heart Association presents the Mission: Lifeline NSTEMI Gold achievement award for implementation of quality care for heart attack patients
Southern Regional Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® NSTEMI Gold achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
“To continually be recognized by the American Heart Association is an affirmation of Southern Regional Medical Center’s commitment to providing patients with the best possible chance of survival after a NSTEMI event,” stated Vikram Mandadi, MD, Cardiologist and Southern Regional’s Medical Director of the Chest Pain Center and Chief Medical Officer. “The hospital has long provided quality cardiac care for the southern crescent communities supported by our dedicated cardiovascular team that works diligently to provide high quality, evidence-based care for our heart attack patients.”
Each year, more than 546,000 people experience this type of dangerous heart attack,caused by a partial blockage of blood flow to the heart. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.
Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease states, such as heart attacks. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS and health care system.
“When someone experiences an 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 James G. Jollis, M.D., volunteer chair for the GWTG-CAD Systems of Care Advisory Work Group and professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. “Hospitals like Southern Regional Medical Center are recognized for consistently providing patients with guidance, medication and rehabilitation opportunities that give the patient the best chance of preventing another cardiac event.”
The Mission: Lifeline achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for NSTEMI care as outlined by the American Heart Association.
“Southern Regional is honored to once again 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. “Following The Mission: Lifeline program our cardiac team puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis to improve patient outcomes.”