Great River Medical Center has received the Mission: Lifeline® Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific
quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association
for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.
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 is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either
by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting
medication.
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program’s
goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks,
beginning with the 911 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.
Great River Medical Center earned the award 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.
“We commend Great River Medical Center for this award in recognition
for following evidence-based guidelines for timely heart attack treatment,”
said Tim Henry, MD,
chair, 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.”