Myrtue Medical Center Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Quality Care for Heart Attacks

Myrtue Medical Center has received American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Center Gold Plus recognition for its commitment to ensuring science-based treatment for all people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.

The American Heart Association (AHA) once again has awarded Myrtue its Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Gold Plus quality achievement award. Myrtue has been recognized the last five years for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

2023 – Gold Plus 3rdyear in a row
2022 – Gold Plus 2nd year in a row
2021 – Gold Plus
2020 – Gold
2019 – Silver

This award recognizes hospitals that have met or exceeded recommendations in treating patients with severe heart attacks, called STEMI heart attacks. A STEMI “ST-elevation myocardial infarction” is a serious form of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart. Every year, more than 280,000 people experience a STEMI that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

“Myrtue was the first critical access hospital in Iowa to receive the Gold Plus award in 2021, and to receive it for a third year in a row is a tremendous accomplishment. “Looking to the future of EMS in Shelby County, it is imperative that we continue to offer the same lifesaving and rapid transport service that Medivac Critical Care Ambulance Service offers. The ability they have to urgently present to transfer a STEMI patient to the cath lab is truly something desired statewide. This recognition for our level of cardiac care is truly an honor but I am also so very proud of the EMS system and teamwork we have here in Shelby County,” said Jenny Lefeber RN BSN TCRN, manager of Myrtue’s Emergency Department.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program aims to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 9-1-1 call, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. The national, community-based initiative aims to improve systems of care by streamlining processes to speed the delivery of proper treatment for time sensitive, neuro-cardiovascular disease states.

Myrtue Medical Center earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for promptly diagnosing STEMI patients and transferring them to hospitals that provide emergency procedures to re-establish blood flow to blocked arteries when needed.

“We are pleased to recognize Myrtue Medical Center for its commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said John Warner, M.D., FAHA, past president of the American Heart Association and CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Hospitals that follow the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols often see improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”