Emergency Referral for Heart Attack Patients
Patients experiencing a heart attack where the arteries are completely blocked, a condition called ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), need fast, definitive treatment to re-open the blocked artery. Studies have shown that the shorter the interval between diagnosis of STEMI and definitive treatment (referred to as "door-to-balloon" time, or D2B) the better the outcomes for the patient. Because not every hospital has all of the resources needed to treat these patients, Penn Heart Rescue®is available to every hospital in the region.
Penn Heart Rescue® is a rapid referral program at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center with emergency protocols to ensure patients experiencing STEMI receive the best possible care, no matter where they first sought care. All patients who arrive at Penn Presbyterian with symptoms of heart attack are fast tracked to receive an emergency angioplasty procedure when time is of the essence.
One phone call to Penn Heart Rescue® reaches an attending cardiologist at Penn Presbyterian for consultation and the dispatch of PennSTAR service to transfer the patient. Clinical protocols are implemented to initiate treatment while awaiting transfer. Upon arrival diagnosis is confirmed and a treatment plan is put into action.
Since its inception in 2007, Penn Heart Rescue® has provided emergency cardiac care to more than 1,200 patients. The service is available to any physician or hospital 24/7/365 and has expanded to include cardiac arrest, therapeutic hypothermia, cardiogenic shock, and aortic dissection. When compared to benchmarks, the Penn Heart Rescue program shows a significant reduction in mortality rates.
The Penn Heart Rescue program currently includes six regional hospitals:
- In Pennsylvania
- Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia
- Mercy Suburban Hospital, Norristown
- Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia
- In New Jersey
- Cape Regional Medical Center, Cape May Court House
- Shore Memorial Hospital, Somers Point
- Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mt. Holly
Penn Heart Rescue Volumes at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center FY 2009 & FY 2010
| FY 2009, N=228 | FY 2010, N=208 | FY 2011, N=289 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 9 | 19 | 29 |
| August | 19 | 26 | 30 |
| September | 18 | 23 | 25 |
| October | 21 | 9 | 18 |
| November | 17 | 16 | 24 |
| December | 24 | 6 | 22 |
| January | 24 | 11 | 25 |
| February | 20 | 17 | 20 |
| March | 20 | 12 | 27 |
| April | 13 | 19 | 22 |
| May | 16 | 29 | 18 |
| June | 27 | 21 | 29 |
For more information, please contact our program director, Matt O'Donnell, BSN, CCRN, at 215-327-7787.
Penn Heart & Vascular 2011 Clinical Activity Report
Referring Physicians: To speak with a Penn physician or refer a patient, contact Penn Medicine through the secure online referral form or by calling 877-937-PENN (7366).