Schneck Medical Center recognized for speed of heart care transfers

SEYMOUR – Schneck Medical Center in partnership with Jackson County EMS has ranked third in the nation for transferring patients to another facility for acute coronary intervention.

Based on measures collected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Becker’s Hospital Review compiled data for patients who come to the hospital with a heart attack or chest pain symptoms and the average time in minutes for those patients to be transferred to another facility for acute coronary intervention.

“This recognition is a result of consistent dedication and hard work from our entire emergency team, says Kristy Day, Director of Emergency Services, at Schneck Medical Center. “Jackson County EMS and the Schneck emergency department consistently work together to review outcomes, quality measures, and processes that will provide our patients with access to heart care in the fastest time possible.”

Timing is critical for patients with heart failure to get the advanced evaluation they need for the best possible outcome. “People tend to wait when they think they might be having a heart attack,” states Ryan Stone, DO, Chief Medical Officer, Schneck Medical Center. “The average patient arrives in the emergency department more than two hours after the onset of symptoms, but what they don’t realize is that the sooner a heart attack is treated, the less damage to the heart and the better the outcome for the patient.”

If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, it is critical to seek immediate emergency medical care by calling 911. Calling 911 for an ambulance is the best action rather than trying to drive to the hospital yourself when you or someone you are with experiences a heart attack. Emergency medical service crews are trained to care for patients experiencing heart attacks, so you’ll get medical care sooner.