Development of Systems of Care for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

Alice K. JacobsVice chair for clinical affairs, Boston University Medical Center

“We can save more lives from the most serious heart attacks, and we know the policy changes that will allow us to do so. From ensuring patients suffering a heart attack can access 9-1-1 emergency services, to guaranteeing they receive needed services including EMS triage and post-acute care, policy solutions can improve the efficiency of care protocols and save time at critical junctures to ensure every STEMI patient has the best chance of survival.”

Alice K. JacobsVice chair for clinical affairs, Boston University Medical Center

“Bringing STEMI referring hospitals, STEMI receiving centers and emergency medical services together in the development of local and regional systems of care within the AHA's Mission: Lifeline program has led to significant improvement in time to treatment and outcomes for patients with STEMI. Yet, opportunities exist to further improve the coordination of care and address remaining barriers to providing ideal care. Moreover, Mission: Lifeline systems of care have been extended to other time-sensitive cardiovascular disorders including stroke and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.”

“It takes our health care system an average of nearly 20 minutes longer to provide women the same emergency cardiac care they provide men. This is unacceptable, at a life-or-death moment. Taking the best care of patients requires a strategic policy playbook that ensures everyone on the care delivery team knows how to maximize a patient's chances of survival and reduce health inequities.”