Northern Nevada Medical Center Receives Mission: Lifeline Silver Receiving Achievement Award
Northern Nevada Medical Center has received the Mission: Lifeline® Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks as outlined by the American Heart Association.
“Northern Nevada Medical Center is committed to building upon our Mission: Lifeline achievement by identifying ways to save critical minutes when a patient experiences a heart attack,” said Shelby Hunt, RN, Director of Emergency Services and stroke program coordinator. “This accomplishment is a testament to our staff’s focus and dedication to patient care.”
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) — the deadliest type of heart attack — which is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart and 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, starting with the 9-1-1 call, to EMS transport, and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. The initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Northern Nevada 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 Northern Nevada Medical Center for this award in recognition for following evidence-based guidelines for timely heart attack treatment,” said Tim Henry, MD, Chain of the 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.”
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