Silver Cross Hospital Honored With Mission: Lifeline Achievement Award

Silver Cross Hospital has received the Mission: Lifeline® Bronze 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 that 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 9-1-1 call and continuing through hospital treatment.

“Silver Cross 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 Brendan Casey, Manager of Cardiology, Endoscopy and Interventional Lab Services at Silver Cross Hospital. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team.”

“Our Code STEMI team is responsible for improving the treatment time for our heart attack patients,” said Marybeth Antone, Administrative Director, Surgical Services & Cardiology at Silver Cross. “Research shows that a patient’s chance of dying increases 30% to 60% if they don’t receive care within 90 minutes or less. In order to provide the highest quality of care to our patients, we re-evaluated our system and developed a consistent, standard protocal that streamlined the process for our staff.”

“We commend Silver Cross 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.”

Silver Cross 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 at least one consecutive 90 day interval.

Cardiac Services at Silver Cross

Silver Cross Hospital brings together advanced technology and the finest medical professionals to create an innovative and efficient approach to heart care. From prevention programs to aftercare, Silver Cross provides patients with everything they need to maintain a healthy heart. Cardiac patients receive expert education,diagnosis, treatment, professional consultation, and rehabilitative care. From state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization suites to accredited programs for Echocardiography and Cardiac Rehab, Silver Cross offers a wide range of comprehensive services to expertly diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate heart disease. For a referral to a cardiologist on staff at Silver Cross, visit www.silvercross.org.

About Mission: Lifeline

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for STEMI

patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement

American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation clinical treatment guidelines. For more information, visit heart.org.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is an independent, not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Truven Health Analytics 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years, a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers and was honored with an “A” Hospital Safety GradeSM by The Leapfrog Group for five consecutive periods. With over 4,200 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 296-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2016, Silver Cross provided over $37 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org. Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.