FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2009

St. John’s Mercy Betters National Average for Heart Attack Mortality

St. John’s Mercy is one of only three hospitals in Missouri to have a statistically better (lower) rate than the national average for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) mortality rate, according to the most recent data on the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services’ Hospital Compare Web site ( hospitalcompare.hhs.gov). Only 131 hospitals in the country were better than the national average.

St. John’s Mercy has worked to improve the outcomes for patients with heart attacks by lowering the time it takes to get a patient from the emergency department to the cardiac catheterization lab, or door-to-balloon time. The goal is to have 75 percent of patients presenting with heart attack symptoms have a door-to-balloon time under 90 minutes. St. John’s Mercy has surpassed that goal by reaching 100 percent.

Dr. George Kichura, cardiologist with St. John’s Mercy Heart and Vascular and champion of the STEMI Implementation Team, is helping write regulations within Missouri State Law that will save the lives and hearts of Missourians having heart attacks. “Hospitals have a trauma designation that differentiates which hospitals can treat patients with more severe injuries. The TCD system will provide a similar structure for STEMI and stroke patients focusing on timely assessment and transport to a designated facility that can provide definitive care.”

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