UCMC and West Chester Hospital Win Quality Assurance Awards for Heart Care

University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center and West Chester Hospital have received quality assurance awards from Mission: Lifeline for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association (AHA) for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

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. 

The AHA’s Mission: Lifeline program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 9-1-1 call and continuing through hospital treatment. 

UC Medical Center is the recipient of the Mission: Lifeline’s Silver-Plus STEMI Award, which recognizes the hospital has reached an achievement score of 75 percent or greater for treating STEMI transfer patients from other facilities within 120 minutes. West Chester Hospital received the Mission: Lifeline’s Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award.

"UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital are both highly dedicated to providing optimal care for our heart attack patients,” said Richard Becker, director and physician-in-chief of the UC Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute. "This national designation from the AHA reflects the achievement and sustainment of timely, high quality care our physicians, nurses and medical staff provide around the clock to patients from across the Tristate. We are pleased to be recognized for our exemplary service, and I am very proud of the teams that serve both hospitals.”

"We commend the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and West Chester Hospital for this achievement award, which reflects a significant institutional commitment to the highest quality of care for their heart attack patients,” said James Jollis, MD, chair of the Mission: Lifeline Advisory Working Group. "Achieving these awards means the hospitals have met specific reporting and achievement measures for the treatment of their patients who suffer heart attacks and we applaud them for their commitment to quality and timely care.”

UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital earned their honors by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for the quick and appropriate treatment of STEMI patients by providing emergency procedures to re-establish blood flow to blocked arteries when needed. Eligible hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level for 12 consecutive months to receive this award.

About UC Health 

UC Health is the region’s only academic health system. Affiliated with the University of Cincinnati, UC Health combines clinical expertise and compassion with research and teaching – a combination that provides patients with options for even the most complex situations. Members of UC Health include: University of Cincinnati Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care, Bridgeway Pointe Assisted Living, University of Cincinnati Physicians (includes nearly 900 board-certified clinicians and surgeons), Lindner Center of HOPE and several specialized institutes including: Gardner Neuroscience Institute; Cancer Institute; Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute; and, Diabetes & Metabolic Disease Institute. Many UC Health locations have received national recognition for outstanding quality and patient satisfaction. Learn more at UCHealth.com.

About Mission: Lifeline 

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for STEMI patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation clinical treatment guidelines. For more information, visit heart.org.