Ascension Seton Highland Lakes named fastest hospital in Texas

Ascension Seton Highland Lakes was recently recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the fastest in the nation for transferring acute coronary intervention patients to a higher-level cardiac care facility. Ranked number five in the nation and number one in Texas, Ascension Seton Highland Lakes Emergency Department, in partnership with Burnet Emergency Medical Services, were able to transfer patients to another facility for acute coronary intervention in an average of 27 minutes.

The ranking was determined through Becker’s compiling of data on patients who come to the hospital with heart attack or chest pain symptoms, and the median time in minutes for patients to be transferred to another hospital for acute coronary intervention.

Ascension Seton Highland Lakes Emergency Department has the goal to get an EKG (electrocardiogram) within 10 minutes of arrival for patients who present with a cardiac issue. An EKG is a diagnostic test used to measure the electrical activity of a person’s heart. If test results determine the patient is having a heart attack or STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction), the transfer center is contacted to make arrangements to get the patient transferred immediately to a Primary PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) facility. For patients in Burnet, they are typically sent to Ascension Seton Medical Center Williamson in Round Rock.

“To be named as one of the top 10 hospitals in the nation for efficiency in transferring cardiac patients is an amazing accomplishment,” said Jennifer Wills, MBA, BSN, RN, Ascension Seton Highland Lakes Emergency Department Manager. “We have established a solid partnership with Burnet EMS for transporting these patients via ground quickly and safely. This ranking proves our teamwork is one of the most successful in the nation, and we are proud of this accomplishment.”

“This is a remarkable achievement of our collaborative efforts between Ascension Seton Highland Lakes, and Burnet Fire and EMS,” said Curtis Murphy, Burnet EMS Deputy Chief. “To be recognized as one of the nation’s fastest in transferring acute coronary intervention patients is a significant milestone. It underscores the unwavering commitment and efficiency demonstrated by our dedicated team members in delivering crucial critical care treatment.”