Main Line Health acute care hospitals nationally recognized for their commitment to quality care for heart attacks

Riddle Hospital receives the Gold Plus award and Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital and Paoli Hospital earn the Gold Award for rapid, research-based treatment of heart attack patients. Riddle EMS also honored.

Bryn Mawr, PA — Main Line Health's acute care hospitals have received the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines^® — Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center with Target: Type 2 Diabetes recognition for their commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a type of heart attack called an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which is known to be more severe and dangerous than other kinds. In addition, Main Line Health's EMS team, based at Riddle Hospital, was honored for its prehospital coordination efforts.

Riddle Hospital received the Gold Plus Award and Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital and Paoli Hospital received the Gold Award for their care of patients experiencing STEMI, which is caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.

Riddle's Gold Plus recognition was based on EMS first medical contact-to-balloon procedure time for patients transferred to the facility. Its EMS team was also named to the Mission: Lifeline^® EMS Gold with Target Heart Attack Honor Roll.

"Main Line Health is dedicated to improving the quality of heart care and the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines program helps us achieve that goal," said Jack Lynch, FACHE, President and CEO of Main Line Health. "The program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis so patients have the best possible chance of survival. I'm proud to see our physicians, nurses and staff recognized for their unwavering dedication and effort to make us a leader in the region for high-quality cardiac care."

Each year, about 285,000 people in the United States experience this type of heart attack. Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a STEMI. Like all heart attacks, it 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 care.

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.

"This recognition is a testament to the hard work, exceptional skill and tireless efforts of our entire medical team," said William Gray, MD, System Chief of Cardiovascular Diseases at Main Line Health and Co-Director of Lankenau Heart Institute. "Their commitment to adhering to the highest standards of care ensures that our patients receive the most effective and timely treatments available. It underscores the importance of evidence-based practices and continuous improvement in delivering the fastest possible life-saving patient care. We are proud of the strides we have made and remain steadfast in building on our record of excellence."

All four acute care hospitals 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.