Christian Hospital honored with Mission: Lifeline achievement awards for quality heart attack care

Christian Hospital received the Mission: Lifeline^® Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association 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, which 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 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 and continuing through hospital treatment.

“Christian Hospital is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients who suffer a heart attack, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that goal through nationally respected clinical guidelines,” said Danielle Redmon, RN, Christian Hospital STEMI coordinator. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team.”

In addition to receiving the Mission: Lifeline Silver Receiving award, Christian Hospital has also been recognized as a recipient of Mission: Lifeline’s Silver-Plus 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.

“We commend Christian Hospital for this achievement award, which reflects a significant institutional commitment to the highest quality of care for their heart attack patients,” said James G. Jollis, MD, Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Advisory Working Group. “Achieving this award means the hospital has 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.”

Christian Hospital earned the award 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.

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About Christian Hospital and BJC HealthCare

Christian Hospital is a 220-staffed-bed community hospital located in north St. Louis County and a founding member of BJC HealthCare, one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States. BJC includes 15 hospitals and multiple health service organizations and is focused on delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. Located six miles west of Christian Hospital is Northwest HealthCare, which offers the community 24-hour emergency care and a variety of outpatient services to complement hospital services. With both locations, Christian Hospital operates the busiest emergency department in Missouri and one of the busiest hospital-based ambulance service in the state.