WCH Recognized For Speedy Heart Attack Care
STEMI Patient Paul Piasecki with those who helped care for him during his Jan. 29 heart attack, including Washington County Paramedic James Hodge; SSM Cath Lab Nurse Kim Newell, RN; SSM Cardiologist Dr. Avinash Murthy, MD; and WCH ER nurse Frankie Piotrowski, RN.
By Alex Haglund
Good Samaritan Regional Health Center recently recognized the Emergency Department and ambulance teams at Washington County Hospital (WCH) Thursday for their care and quick turn around of STEMI (ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction, heart attack) patients.
“Time is Muscle”, is a phrase that is commonly used regarding STEMI cases and WCH knows this adage is true. Quick diagnosis and treatment make a big difference in the outcome.
Paul Piasecki of Nashville knows firsthand how important this timing is. Piasecki experienced record breaking timeliness in treatment by WCH for a heart attack that occurred on January 29.
The national goal for STEMI patients is 120 minutes from first medical contact until the stent, thrombectomy, or balloon is placed.
WCH is 31-percent quicker than the national average, and in Piasecki’s case, they really flew, with the patient out of the hospital and headed to the Good Sam Cath Lab in just 20 minutes and a transit time there with Washington County Ambulance Service of only 22 minutes.
Cardiologist Dr. Avinash Murthy, M.D., who took care of Piasecki at Good Sam also holds twice-monthly cardiology clinics at WCH.
“You are the example,” Murthy said about WCH. “As we go on, we hope to have more and more facilities like this one.”
Murthy also said that he had referred Piasecki to cardiac rehab at WCH, adding that, “this way, the care does not end at the cath lab.”
For More, Please Read The February 25 Edition Of The Nashville News.
