ST. ELIZABETH’S HOSPITAL PARTICIPATES IN A NATIONAL STUDY OF HEART ATTACK PATIENTS

BELLEVILLE, IL, February 4, 1997 -- "Results in cardiovascular research have shown that a patient’s prognosis for recovery from heart attacks can be improved significantly by early treatment," explains Dr. Roop Lal, cardiologist on staff at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Since 1992, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital has participated in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction (or heart attack) patients. The National Registry of Myocardial Infarction is a voluntary effort by hospitals to collect information about their patients whom they have treated for heart attacks. After this data is submitted, each hospital receives a comparative report of all hospitals in the state and across the country. St. Elizabeth’s is one of 61 medical centers in the state of Illinois who have been recording the results of early intervention and aggressive treatment of patients experiencing a heart attack. Since July 1994, over 15,000 patients have been tracked in this state. St. Elizabeth’s has seen 352 patients with this diagnosis in the past two years. This study involves 1470 hospitals throughout the country and over 332,221 patients have been registered.

"Our results have shown a 3.2 mortality rate from heart attacks. I attribute this to patients who are getting to a hospital as early as possible when experiencing chest pain," said Lal. He continued, "Because we see the patients in the early stages of cardiac stress, the cardiologist can determine within minutes of arrival at the hospital whether treatment should be TPA, a drug treatment prescribed to break up blood clots, or coronary artery angioplasty, an invasive procedure performed to open clogged blood vessels in the heart. We have found that effective use of other medications such as beta blockers and aspirin also contribute to the low mortality rate."

When it comes to heart distress, time is of the essence. Unfortunately, heart attack victims sometimes wait several hours, or even days, before seeking medical help. By then, their heart muscle may have suffered damage and their chances for survival may be decreased.

"Many heart attack victims deny or ignore their symptoms," Lal explained. "Because symptoms may be subtle, such as uncomfortable pressure in the chest, they may be attributed to a milder condition, such as indigestion, pleurisy, or gall bladder disease. Too often this lack of recognition results in wasted time that could save patients’ lives," said Lal.

The National Registry of Myocardial Infarction is used by the hospital to measure quality improvement. "Since joining the registry, we have been able to monitor and improve the quality of care given to patients with cardiac symptoms entering our Emergency Department," said Joseph Prosser, M.D., Medical Director at St. Elizabeth’s.

Dr. Lal suggested that people become familiar with those hospitals in their area that have a chest pain evaluation program. Anyone who experiences an episode of unexplained chest pain lasting for more than a few minutes should call 911 or get to the hospital. "The choices for patients are clear," Lal said. "Ignored symptoms and wasted time can result in serious or fatal heart attacks; immediate treatment can decrease heart muscle damage."

St. Elizabeth’s Hospital began a Chest Pain Evaluation Center in 1995. As part of the Emergency Department services, St. Elizabeth’s developed a first line cardiac emergency team in cooperation with all the cardiologists on staff to respond to patients presenting themselves with heart attack symptoms. More recently, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital announced the cooperative venture with Cardiology Consultants Ltd, one of the largest groups of cardiologists in Southern Illinois, in the formation of the Southern Illinois Heart Institute. "The Southern Illinois Heart Institute is a continuation of the development of a premier cardiac center for residents in the lower third of the state," said Dr. Joseph Prosser, Medical Director of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. "It is important that patients who are experiencing any symptom of chest pain get medical attention. St. Elizabeth’s Chest Pain Evaluation Center in our Emergency Department is fully staffed and prepared to diagnose cardiac distress and offer the appropriate treatment in a timely manner," Prosser said.

For More Information Contact:

Southern Illinois Heart Institute
211 South Third Street, Belleville, Il 62220
Tel: 1-800-676-SIHI (7444)
Internet: info@sihi.org