2015 Licking Memorial Hospital Honored with Mission: Lifeline® Gold Award
The Mission: Lifeline® program aims to improve the quality and efficiency of care for patients diagnosed with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a form of heart attack which involves a sudden blockage of one of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Each year, approximately 250,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with a STEMI. According to the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, the risk of death from cardiac arrest can be reduced by 40 percent if a blocked coronary artery is reopened with 90 minutes of arriving at a hospital (known as door-to-balloon time), or within 90 minutes of first medical contact (known as FMC-to-balloon time) if arriving via ambulance.
The Mission: Lifeline® program recognizes the importance of swift treatment following a heart attack. In order to achieve the Gold award, each organization must meet the Mission: Lifeline® compliance criteria for two consecutive years. Those criteria require achieving at least an 85% average score, while achieving no less than 75% on any single measure, for the following standards:
- Percentage of direct admit STEMI patients with door-to-balloon time ≤ 90 minutes
- Percentage of direct admit STEMI patients arriving via ambulance with FMC-to-balloon time ≤ 90 minutes
- Percentage of STEMI patients who receive aspirin within 24 hours of hospital arrival
- Percentage of STEMI patients taking aspirin at discharge
- Percentage of STEMI patients taking a beta blocker at discharge
- Percentage of STEMI patients with LDL cholesterol ≥ 100 mg/dL, who receive statins or lipid-lowering medication
- Percentage of STEMI patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, who receive blood pressure-lowering medication at discharge
Percentage of STEMI patients who smoke, and receive smoking cessation counseling at discharge
LMH has consistently performed better than these standards in large part because first responders throughout Licking County are equipped with 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) monitors to record and transmit patient data to the LMH Emergency Department prior to arrival. In 2007, Licking Memorial Health Systems made a generous $300,000 donation to create the unified EKG relay system and later invested more than $600,000 to upgrade the aging equipment. In addition, the MUSE Cardiology Information System was implemented in the Cardiology Department in 2014 to upgrade the quality, safety, and efficiency of a variety of procedures.
“LMH is dedicated to providing excellent care for patients who suffer a heart attack, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® program helps us achieve that goal by establishing nationally respected clinical guidelines,” said Kim Heddleson, B.S.N., R.N., Director of Licking Memorial Cardiology. “We are excited to be recognized for our dedication and accomplishments in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team.”
LMH takes great pride in providing excellent cardiovascular services to the community. The Cardiology Department specializes in providing timely lifesaving techniques as well as the latest technology for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease. Our outstanding relationship with local first responders means that our patients can expect rapid, exceptional care before even reaching the Hospital. LMH is proud to be recognized by the Mission: Lifeline® program for our commitment to providing the highest quality heart care to the Licking County community.