Albany Med Nationally Recognized for High-Quality Care for Heart Attacks
Albany Medical Center has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment to exceptional care of heart attack patients.
The hospital received the Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Silver Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a specific type of heart attack that is more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.
“All heart attacks need to be treated quickly, but a STEMI heart attack is particularly dangerous and requires emergent and specialized expertise,” said Dan Pauze, MD, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Albany Medical Center. “As the region’s only academic medical center, our specialists are up to date on the latest scientific studies and treatment options for all types of cardiovascular events. With additional guidance from the Get With The Guidelines program, we’re able to enhance the care we provide to our community, giving our patients the best possible chance of survival and helping them to live longer, healthier lives.”
Each year, more than one million cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) require hospitalization in the U.S. About 30 percent of ACS cases are classified as STEMI, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery which can prevent blood flow to the heart. This requires timely treatment to minimize damage and restore blood flow as quickly as possible.
According to the American Heart Association, recognition as a STEMI Receiving Center is designed to showcase hospitals that provide 24/7 support for STEMI. These important facilities coordinate with a network of referring hospitals and emergency medical services to provide guideline-directed care for both STEMI and non-STEMI heart attacks.
“Effective and timely care is crucial for patients experiencing a STEMI heart attack. The American Heart Association’s guidelines call for specific interventions for these patients both in-hospital and post-hospitalization,” said Abhinav Goyal, MD, MHS, FACC, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Coronary Artery Disease System of Care Advisory Group.
The STEMI Receiving Center award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for STEMI care, as outlined by the American Heart Association.
Albany Medical Center also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to heart attack.