Lafayette General Medical Center Cardiac Team Receives American Heart Association Award

Lafayette General Medical Center received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Bronze Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific measures outlined for treating patients suffering severe heart attacks.

The most deadly type of heart attack is known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). It is caused by a complete 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. At least 250,000 people every year experience this type of heart attack.

The Mission: Lifeline program by the American Heart Association aims to reduce system barriers in the way of more prompt treatment for heart attacks, starting with the 9-1-1 call and continuing through hospital treatment.

“LGMC is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients who suffer a heart attack, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that goal through nationally respected clinical guidelines,” said Rebecca Benoit, Chief Nursing Officer for Lafayette General. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team.”

“We commend Lafayette General Medical Center 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.”

LGMC earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for the quick and appropriate treatment of STEMI patients by providing emergency procedures to re-establish 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.