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WARRENSBURG, MO (August 23, 2022)— Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Center Bronze recognition for its commitment to ensuring science-based treatment for all people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This type of heart attack is known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.
Each year, more than 280,000 people in the U.S. experience a STEMI, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery. Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a STEMI. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.
“WMMC is dedicated to improving the healthcare of our community,” said Darinda Dick, President/CEO of WMMC. “We put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so members of our community who experience a STEMI have the best possible chance of survival. When you’re having a heart attack, time is critical, which is why receiving an award recognizing that we provide high-quality, life-saving care when time matters is an achievement we are very proud of.”
Mission: Lifeline is a national, community-based initiative improving systems of care for patients with STEMI, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), stroke, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The program focuses on streamlining processes to speed the delivery of proper treatment for time-sensitive, neuro-cardiovascular disease states.
Recognition is designed to showcase hospitals of every size on the front lines of care that do not have 24/7 cardiac catheterization lab availability but work in collaboration with emergency medical services to ensure patients receive guideline-directed STEMI and NSTEMI care. This specific award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to getting patients the most up-to-date research-based care for STEMI as outlined by the American Heart Association.
“Care coordination is particularly important when someone experiences a STEMI heart attack, and American Heart Association guidelines call for specific science-based treatment,” said James G. Jollis, M.D., volunteer chair for the American Heart Association’s Get with The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease Systems of Care Advisory Work Group and professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. “Hospitals like Western Missouri Medical Center are recognized for consistently supporting patients to ensure the best opportunity for recovery.”
About Western Missouri Medical Center
Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is a fully-accredited acute care county medical center located in Warrensburg, MO. WMMC prides itself in emergency care, obstetrics, orthopedic and general surgery, family healthcare, internal medicine, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care, rehabilitation services and more. Inpatient services include medical, surgical, intensive, obstetrical, orthopedic, pediatric and skilled nursing care, as well as a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic outpatient services. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Learn more at WMMC.com
About Mission: Lifeline
Mission: Lifeline® is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with acute, high-risk time sensitive life and/or quality of life-threatening disease states. The overarching goals of Mission: Lifeline are to bring stakeholders together in a collaborative manner and to reduce mortality and morbidity for these patients while improving overall quality of care and patient outcomes. For more information, visit heart.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennie Snapp
Communications & Development Manager
(660) 262-7464
jsnapp@wmmc.com