In The News
WMMC Becomes a Designated STEMI Receiving Center for Treating Heart Attack Patients
White Memorial has been selected by Los Angeles County as a specialty center for the treatment of heart attack patients. This designation is called “STEMI Receiving Center” (SRC). STEMI stands for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, which is a heart attack.
WMMC has met rigorous standards for treatment times, clinical processes and quality outcomes to earn the STEMI Receiving Center designation.
The goal of the program is to get ambulance patients to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab for crucial treatment within 90 minutes of when they arrive in the Emergency Department complaining of chest pain.
Currently 21 hospitals in LA County are a part of this network, which will allow paramedics to speed patients to these facilities rather than simply taking them to the nearest hospital.
“We are proud of this specialized achievement because it will truly benefit heart attack patients that are brought into the Emergency Department. By opening a blocked coronary artery in less than 90 minutes, we can save more lives, which is the most important goal of this program,” said Ranier Manzanilla, MD, medical director of the SRC.
In order to apply for the STEMI Receiving Center designation, a taskforce was formed that consisted of staff from The Heart and Vascular Care Center, including, Francis Yang, NP, and Nenita Frnacisco, RN, who lead out this entire process, Dr. Manzanilla, and Brian Johnston, MD, medical director of the ED.
Other members of the taskforce included directors and managers of departments along the continuum of care for heart attack patients.
“We have a good process in place, but applying for the STEMI Receiving Center enables us to refine our process to improve the quality of care for heart attack victims,” said Crystal Davis, director of The Heart and Vascular Care Center.
Posted 3/14/07
