McKenzie Health System nationally recognized for its commitment to quality care for heart attacks in Sanilac County area

Photo (l to r): Katie Hutchinson, RN; Heather Swany, RN; and Lacey Shea, RN, Emergency Department Manager and Trauma Program Manager.

The American Heart Association presents the Mission: Lifeline STEMI Referring Center Silver award for implementation of quality care for heart attack patients

McKenzie Health System has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Center Silver 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), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.

Each year, about 285,000 people in the U.S. experience this type of heart attack, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.1 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.

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 as a Mission: Lifeline Referring Center 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.

“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 for the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Coronary Artery Disease Systems of Care Advisory Work Group and cardiologist with The Christ Hospital Physicians – Heart & Vascular in Cincinnati. “Hospitals like McKenzie Health System are recognized for consistently supporting patients to ensure the best opportunity for recovery.”

The Mission: Lifeline Referring Center 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.

“McKenzie Health System is dedicated to improving the quality of heart care, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps us achieve that goal,” said Steve Barnett, President and CEO. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”

About McKenzie Health System:

McKenzie Health System (MHS) is a not-for-profit medical and surgical hospital in Sandusky, Mich., with nine clinics in the surrounding region. Their team of health care professionals is dedicated to providing excellent, compassionate care and services to patients throughout the county. As part of their commitment to superior patient care, clinicians and staff work together to exceed expectations in quality of care, patient safety, and patient satisfaction. For more information about MHS and the many services it provides, please visit their website at www.mckenziehealth.org or call 810-648-3770.

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