News

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center – Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to 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.

“Achieving this recognition demonstrates our commitment to utilizing proven, research-based guidelines in the care of our patients so they have the best possible chance for survival after a heart attack,” says Andy Guz, Chief Executive Officer at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. “I am grateful for our team of physicians, clinical and support staff for their dedication and want our community to be aware of the high quality cardiovascular care that’s offered right here, close to home.”

Each year, about 285,000 people in the U.S. experience this type of heart attack, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.[1] Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a STEMI. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.

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 STEMI and NSTEMI care.

“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, M.D., MHS, FACC, FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer, professor in the Department of Cardiology at Emory School of Medicine with a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and chief quality officer for the Emory Heart and Vascular Center. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is among the institutions recognized for their commitment to providing evidence-based STEMI treatment and care coordination, ensuring the best outcomes for these patients.

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.

Lakewood Ranch 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.