The Heart Lifeline Alliance℠ was developed in 2008 by the cardiologists at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in partnership with rural hospitals, medical helicopter and ambulance services. In 2010, Missouri Baptist began a partnership with local emergency services to notify the Cath Lab of a patient's arrival so the lab can be prepared.
The program helps prepare emergency responders to rapidly evaluate and treat patients who are having an acute heart attack, known as ST-elevated myocardial infarctions (STEMI), and arrange transfer to the cardiac catheter labs at Missouri Baptist, a Level I STEMI Center. The cath labs use an angioplasty balloon and a stent to open up a heart-attack-causing blockage with better results than clot-busting drugs.
Utilizing the HLLA, emergency services and transferring hospitals are able to notify and activate the cardiac catheter lab of a patient’s impending arrival. The lab is then prepared and ready so patient can bypass the emergency room and go straight to catheterization, saving minutes and, potentially, heart muscle.
“Decreasing the time it takes to recognize and immediately treat a heart attack or cardiac arrest still remains central to survival,” HLLA medical director Dr. Stuart Higano said.
Continuous Improvement
The pursuit of excellence means we are continually working to improve care. As part of the commitment, Missouri Baptist hosts an annual Heart Center Symposium bringing together nearly 300 healthcare professionals including, emergency department physician, cardiologist, hospitalist, EMS, nurses and administrators for educational seminars and speakers.