Baxter Regional Medical Center (BRMC) has received the Mission: Lifeline
STEMI Receiving Center - Bronze Plus Quality Achievement Award for implementing
specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association
for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial
infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage
of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent
death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible,
either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting
medication.
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program’s
goal is 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 initiative provides tools, training
and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from
the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines.
BRMC earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance
for quick and appropriate treatment through emergency procedures to re-establish
blood flow to blocked arteries in heart attack patients coming into the
hospital directly or by transfer from another facility.

Pictured with Kimberly Foxworthy, MSN/Ed, RN, BRMC STEMI Coordinator (center),
receiving the award on behalf of BRMC, are (left) Joyce Taylor, Executive
Director, American Heart Association - Central Arkansas, and (right) Kristen
Waller, RN, Quality and Systems Improvement Director, American Heart Association
- Arkansas.
“Baxter Regional Medical Center is dedicated to providing optimal
care for heart attack patients,” said Ron Peterson, BRMC President
& CEO. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and
achievements in cardiac care through Mission: Lifeline.”
“We commend Baxter Regional Medical Center for this award in recognition
for following evidence-based guidelines for timely heart attack treatment,”
said Tim Henry, M.D., Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome
Subcommittee. “We applaud the significant institutional commitment
to their critical role in the system of care for quickly and appropriately
treating heart attack patients.”
About Mission: Lifeline
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps
hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that
follow proven standards and procedures for STEMI patients. The program
works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American
Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation clinical treatment
guidelines. For more information, visit
heart.org.