Med Center Health rural hospitals nationally recognized for severe heart attack care

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Medical Center at Albany, The Medical Center at Caverna, The Medical Center at Franklin and the Medical Center at Scottsville are being recognized for severe heart attack care.

According to a release Monday by Med Center Health, all four medical center locations have received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Regional Recognition award for their regional collaboration regarding the care for those experiencing the most severe heart attacks.

The award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate “exceptional commitment to collaborating with their referring and receiving hospital partners, as well as EMS agencies, to establish a system of evidence-based care guided by the American Heart Association’s latest clinical standards,” the release states.

According to health officials, acute coronary syndrome is a major cause of hospitalization in the United States.

“Being recognized by the American Heart Association as part of a Mission: Lifeline® System of Care reflects Med Center Health’s commitment to ensuring patients experiencing a severe heart attack receive the best care possible through strong collaboration with our regional partners,” said Eric Hagan, vice president, Rural Hospitals, Med Center Health. “For our communities, this recognition means they can have confidence that their local hospital is connected to a coordinated network dedicated to delivering the highest standard of emergency cardiac care when every second matters. Achieving honors like this is especially meaningful for rural hospitals because it demonstrates that geography does not have to limit access to lifesaving care. I am incredibly grateful to our physicians, nurses, laboratory and other healthcare team members, as well as our local EMS and regional hospital partners, whose dedication, teamwork and commitment make it possible for us to provide the very best care for the patients and communities we are privileged to serve.”

According to Med Center Health, Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to enhance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive medical conditions, including severe heart attacks.

The program helps reduce barriers to prompt heart attack interventions – from the initial 911 call and EMS transport through hospital treatment and discharge.