EMERGENCY DEPT COMMENDED FOR SUCCESS IN HEART 7-7-7 PROGRAM

March 20, 2009

Among top hospitals with fastest times in Heart 7-7-7 Program

Ottawa Regional Hospital & Healthcare Center was recently commended by OSF St. Francis Heart Hospital for being among the hospitals in its Heart 7-7-7 network that have very good times for getting patients experiencing an acute STEMI (ST elevated myocardial infarction, i.e., a heart attack) to the cardiac catherization lab at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria. Of the 17 affiliate hospitals in the Heart 7-7-7 network, Ottawa Regional is one of the farthest away.

Kimberly Phillips, RN, TNS, Ottawa Regional’s Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Manager attributes the hospital’s fast times to protocols that are in place and teamwork. “When a patient arrives with a suspected STEMI (heart attack) we follow the Heart 7-7-7 protocol to ensure the patient receives the highest quality of care in the timeliest manner,” says Phillips.

"We appreciate the efforts of Ottawa Regional's Emergency Department. We know this protocol saves lives," says Dr. Craig Kurtz, a cardiologist at HeartCare Midwest in Ottawa and OSF St. Francis in Peoria. "It gives long-term results that are better for patients."

Ottawa Regional has also implemented other improvements in its Emergency Department that have resulted in enhanced patient privacy and safety, decreased wait times (less than 2 hours from time of arrival to discharge), and an overall patient satisfaction rating of 98%.
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