Featured image: The White River Medical Center (WRMC) Emergency Department and Cath Lab staff stand together for a photo after receiving the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver Plus Achievement Award. Pictured from left to right: (back row) Justin Blankenship, RTR, Clinic Lead Cath Lab; Michael Bell, RN; Amanda Foust, RN, Emergency Services Clinical Lead; Rowan Cairns, RN, BSN, ED Charge Nurse; (front row) Ashley Brown, RTR; Jacob Goff, RN; and Charity Schaufler RN, BSN, ED Quality Metric Coordinator. The award is presented to organizations implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.
White River Health System (WRHS) received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver Plus Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks, according to a media release.
Each 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 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 between the individual hospital, EMS, and healthcare system.
“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, M.D., chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome subcommittee. “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 STEMI patients.
“White River Health System is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Gary Paxson, president & CEO of WRHS. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”
Image via WRHS
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
