Pomerene Hospital has received an award from the American Heart Association recognizing its commitment to ensuring science-based treatment for all people experiencing a specific type of heart attack.

The  Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Center Gold Plus Award recognizes Pomerene’s care of patients experiencing an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.

Each year,  about 285,000 people in the U.S. will experience this condition, which is caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.

Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a

 STEMI. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.

The Mission: Lifeline Referring Center award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to getting patients the most up-to-date research-based care for STEMI as outlined by the American Heart Association.

Recognition as a Mission: Lifeline Referring Center is designed to showcase hospitals of every size on the front lines of care that do not have 24/7 cardiac catheterization lab availability but work in collaboration with emergency medical services to ensure patients receive guideline-directed STEMI and NSTEMI care.