FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2009

“Time Critical Diagnosis” Goal to Save Lives
of Heart Attack Patients in Missouri

Heart disease, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), is the leading cause of death in Missouri. Delayed treatment increases a patient’s risk for death and disability. The national standard for hospitals is to have a door-to-balloon time of 90 minute or less, including transport time.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, patients suffering heart attacks who receive care within 90 minutes fare better than those who do not. However, only about 35 percent of hospitals nationwide have adopted time-saving procedures to achieve this standard of care. St. John’s Mercy Heart and Vascular Hospital, which treats more than 2,300 patients each year for chest pain, heart attacks and related procedures, is one of them. Yet not all patients in Missouri have timely access to lifesaving treatment. This is why in Missouri the Time Critical Diagnosis Steering Committee and Task Force was created. The Task Force is charged with developing a state-wide system to improve emergency response and treatment for stroke and STEMI patients.

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.”

The Task Force is comprised of more than 150 medical experts, leaders, advocates and emergency medical care providers from across the state.

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