Three hospitals receive Mission: Lifeline recognition

Story by: Lynne Choate on July 18, 2018

Three Norton Healthcare hospitals recently received national recognition for their heart care. Norton Audubon Hospital and Norton Brownsboro Hospital received the Mission: Lifeline Gold Receiving quality achievement award, and Norton Hospital received the Mission: Lifeline Silver Plus Receiving quality achievement award. The awards were given for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients experiencing severe heart attacks.

Every year, more than 250,000 people experience a type of heart attack called ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI),the deadliest type of heart attack. STEMI happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. It requires timely treatment. To prevent death, blood flow must be restored as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

Norton Audubon, Norton Brownsboro and Norton Hospital earned the awards 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.

“The recognition on behalf of the American Heart Association really highlights the hard work and team approach put into place throughout the hospitals as well as with emergency medical services (EMS) in the field,” said Joseph A. Lash, M.D., Cardiology Service Line Physician Executive – Adult Hospital Division and cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “The work of everyone is paying off by saving the lives of patients through quality-driven processes.”

Only four facilities in Kentucky were recognized with the Mission: Lifeline awards. Norton Healthcare took three of the four honors.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 911 call, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. The initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines.