Advanced Care for Critical Heart Attacks Recognized
AUSTIN, Texas - (August 9, 2011) -Seton Medical Center Austin was the only hospital in Central Texas to receive the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline 2011 Silver Performance Achievement Award, reported by U.S. World and News Report this month. The award honors the hospital for its commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients that effectively improves the survival and care for those that suffer the most critical heart attacks, known as STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction).
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), 27 percent of all heart attacks are STEMI, or ST (segment) elevation myocardial infarction, the deadliest type resulting from a clot in the coronary artery. When a patient experiences a STEMI, time is of the essence. Emergency catheterization or angioplasty can open up the blocked artery and restore blood flow to the heart.
The AHA recognized Seton Austin for demonstrating over 12 consecutive months that at least 85 percent of eligible STEMI patients were treated within 90 minutes and discharged following AHA's recommended treatment guidelines.
University Medical Center Brackenridge and Seton Medical Center Hays, members of the Seton Healthcare Family, received the Mission: Lifeline Bronze Quality Achievement Award for demonstrating performance equivalent to Seton Austin for 90 consecutive days.
Throughout the state of Texas, there are an estimated 150 hospitals designated as STEMI-receiving centers. Of those sites, 77 submit data to the national registry, a requirement to be considered for the Mission: Lifeline award.
"We've collected this data for many years," said Anne Robinson, RN, MS, cardiology outcomes coordinator, cardiac rehabilitation department manager, STEMI coordinator and Chest Pain Center coordinator at Seton Austin. "We are now sharing that data with the national action registry. They collect not only the speed of treatment, but also the entire patient-care story, including pre-hospital treatment, specific drugs prescribed and referrals for cardiac rehabilitation."
Mission: Lifeline strives to improve care in both acute treatment and discharge measures. The data collected provides valuable research and aids in educating clinicians nationally.
Seton began reporting data to the national action registry in January 2010. The Gold Performance Achievement Award requires 24 consecutive months of performance and Seton Austin will be poised to contend for this award next year.
"The Seton Healthcare Family is dedicated to providing the best in cardiovascular care" said Mark Hazelwood, president and chief executive officer, cardiovascular program, Seton Healthcare Family. "We are pleased to be recognized for our commitment and success in implementing the highest standard of care for heart attack patients including improving the survival of STEMI patients."
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the