Tulane Medical Center earns heart attack care award

Tulane Medical Center has received the Mission: Lifeline Silver 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. 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 goal of the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is to reduce any barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 911 call and continuing through hospital treatment.

“We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team.”

Dr. William Lunn

“We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team,” said Dr. William Lunn, president and CEO of Tulane Health System.

“We commend Tulane Medical Center for this achievement award, which reflects a significant institutional commitment to the highest quality of care for their heart attack patients,” said Dr. James G. Jollis, 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.”

Tulane Medical Center 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 12 consecutive months to receive this award.