1	ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (HEART ATTACK) CARE
2	HCMH Commitment to Quality Patient Care Hill Country Memorial Health System and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are working together on a public accountability project designed to improve hospital services. Hill Country Memorial has been submitting health care data to CMS as part of a national move to provide the public with certain statistics that allow comparisons of care related to specific diagnoses such as outcomes for pneumonia, heart failure, heart attack and surgical care improvement. We believe that such public disclosure can only result in better health care in this country, and we support public disclosure of information related to the quality of care for our patients. This data comparison helps us as well, allowing us to set benchmarks and goals and see where we are in regard to regional and state averages. Sometimes, we see too few eligible cases in a particular reporting area to calculate a reliable statistic. In these instances, we will label the results accordingly. Even in these cases, however, we see this reporting process as offering opportunities to improve care. We welcome these opportunities. If you want more in-depth information, you may visit www.healthgrades.com and www.medicare.gov/Hospital..
3	Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Facts An acute myocardial infarction (AMI or heart attack) occurs when blood flow stops to an area of the heart causing heart muscle damage or death. Nationally, a heart attack occurs about every 20 seconds, and a death occurs every minute. There are about a million heart attacks each year with 500,000 deaths. Half of these deaths occur within 1 hour of onset and before the person arrives at an emergency room.
4	Know the Signs of an AMI Chest pain or discomfort Pain in one or both arms, jaw, or neck Nausea/vomiting or cold sweats Shortness of breath If you or a loved one experience chest pain and other signs, don’t wait—dial 911 for emergency assistance.
5	Our Goal for AMI Patients Our goal is to provide patients with the highest level of care available by incorporating into our treatment plans the use of nationally accepted, evidence-based guidelines.
6	Key Aspects of AMI Care Early administration of aspirin: aspirin, started within 24 hours, has been proven to reduce the overall risk of death from AMI by decreasing the clotting of blood. It also reduces the risk of future heart attacks. Aspirin at discharge: Maintenance dosing of aspirin on a daily basis is helpful in preventing additional heart attacks.
7	Key Aspects of AMI Care Early beta-blocker administration: During a heart attack, the heart tries to compensate for its weakened pumping action by beating faster, which puts more strain on it. Beta-blockers reduce the heart’s tendency to beat faster. Beta-blocker at discharge: Maintenance dosing of a beta-blocker is helpful in keeping the heart from beating faster, thereby enhancing its pumping ability.
8	Key Aspects of AMI Care ACE inhibitor at discharge: Some patients who experience a heart attack have sustained weakened pumping action in their heart (called “left ventricular systolic dysfunction”). For these patients, an ACE inhibitor helps prevent further weakening of the heart. Documentation of smoking cessation counseling: smoking is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Patients who quit significantly reduce the risk of death and subsequent cardiac events.
9	HCMH Results with State and National Averages
10	What Would You Like To Do Next? Return to HCMH Quality Measurement Welcome page? Return to HCMHS homepage?