Northwest Texas Healthcare System Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Quality Care for Heart Attacks
Northwest Texas Healthcare System has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Silver Plus recognition for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction, also called STEMI, known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.
“Northwest Texas Healthcare System is dedicated to improving the quality of heart care and the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program helps us achieve that goal,” said Oliver Ostorga, Chief Operating Officer, NWTHS. “The program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”
NWTHS also received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to heart attack.
Each year, more than one million cases of acute coronary syndrome require hospitalization in the U.S., and about 30% of ACS cases are classified as STEMI, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery, according to the National Institutes of Health. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.
Recognition as a STEMI Receiving Center is designed to showcase hospitals that provide 24/7 support for STEMI. These important facilities coordinate with a network of referring hospitals and emergency medical services to provide guideline-directed STEMI and NSTEMI care.
“Effective and timely care is crucial for patients experiencing a STEMI heart attack. The American Heart Association’s guidelines call for specific interventions for these patients both in-hospital and post-hospitalization,” said Abhinav Goyal, MD, MHS, FACC, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Coronary Artery Disease System of Care Advisory Group.
The STEMI Receiving Center award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for STEMI care as outlined by the American Heart Association.