Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus is proud to announce it has received two Mission: Lifeline® Bronze Receiving Quality Achievement awards for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.
One award is for the hospital’s work with STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) patients and the second is for its work with NSTEMI (non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction). A STEMI occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked whereas a NSTEMI is typically caused by a severely narrowed artery that isn’t completely blocked. 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 goal of the Mission: Lifeline® program is to reduce the barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 911 call and continuing through treatment. “Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus is driven to improve the quality of care for our patients who suffer a heart attack. Through these two programs and a lot of team work, we’re able to accomplish this goal,” said Cardiovascular and Electrophysiology Lab Medical Director John Shuck, MD, of Bayhealth Cardiology Consultants. “I’m incredibly proud of the work our team did to make these recognitions possible.”
“We commend Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus for these achievement awards, 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 the awards 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.”
Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus earned the awards by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for the quick and appropriate treatment of STEMI and NSTEMI patients by providing emergency procedures to reestablish blood flow to blocked arteries when needed. Eligible hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level for at least one consecutive 90-day interval.
Cardiovascular and Electrophysiology Lab Manager Barbara Smith, MSN, RN, CNML, RCIS, said everyone from EMS personnel to Cath Lab staff have a role in helping heart attack patients and all are driven to make that difference. “We’re always aiming to do better and always want to improve. We’re proud of this award, but will keep pushing to do even better for our community,” Smith said.
Visit Bayhealth.org/Cardiovascular to learn more about the cardiovascular conditions Bayhealth treats or call 1-866-BAY-DOCS (229-3627) to be matched with a physician who meets your needs.
