West Hospital Earns Award for Excellence in Heart Attack Care

Mercy Health - Cincinnati, which provides advanced, quality, compassionate care in your neighborhood through its care network, announces that West Hospital has received the Mission: Lifeline® Bronze Receiving Quality Achievement Award. West Hospital’s heart care team earned the award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. Eligible hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level for at least one consecutive 90-day interval.

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.

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 and continuing through hospital treatment.

“West Hospital knows how important it is for heart attack patients to receive treatment quickly. West Hospital and Green Township have protocols in place to activate the cath lab at the hospital when patients experience a heart attack. According to this protocol, patients go directly to the cath lab, bypassing the emergency department and decreasing the amount of time that a coronary artery is blocked,” said Michael Kramer, Mercy Health West Market President and CEO.

“I am pleased that the American Heart Association recognized our dedication and achievements in cardiac care and I am very proud of our team for all the hard work they’ve done to ensure our patients receive the best quality care,” added Kramer.

The national standard developed by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology calls for less than 90 minutes to pass from the time the patient arrives at a treating facility until the coronary artery is opened. This is referred to as the “door to balloon time.” Prompt intervention significantly reduces patient morbidity and mortality and ensure patients retain the most heart function possible

“We commend West Hospital for this achievement award, which reflects a significant institutional commitment to the highest quality of care for their heart attack patients,” said James G. Jollis, MD, Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Advisory Working Group. “Achieving this award means the hospital has met specific reporting and achievement measures for the treatment of their patients who suffer heart attacks and we applaud them for their commitment to quality and timely care.”

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for STEMI patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation clinical treatment guidelines.  For more information, visit heart.org.