The American Heart Association developed Mission: Lifeline to transform care for the most vulnerable patients – those with high-risk time-sensitive emergencies including heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrest. This award signifies a commitment to guideline adherence and quality improvement for the STEMI patient population.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that 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.
Harborview 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.
