| Quality Report Card |
Heart Attack
Timely and proper intervention can dramatically improve heart attack survival rates. Below are some of the key actions that our cardiac teams focus on when treating patients who have a heart attack. Each of these nationally proven actions is important to minimize damage to the heart and to help patients live well after they leave the hospital.
This data represents what percentage of the time MultiCare follows these actions in relation to the statewide average for Washington hospitals:
- Use of ACE inhibitors
- Administration of aspirin on arrival
- Administration of aspirin at discharge
- Administration of beta blockers on discharge
- Smoking cessation counseling
Use of ACE Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors often are used for people who have recently had a heart attack and who have heart failure or decreased function of the left ventricle (lower-left heart chamber). Use of ACE inhibitors following a heart attack can help prevent heart failure and may improve survival.
Administration of aspirin on arrival
Aspirin works quickly (within 15 minutes) to prevent the formation of blood clots, decreasing the risk for heart attack or stroke.
Administration of aspirin at discharge
Aspirin works quickly (within 15 minutes) to prevent the formation of blood clots, decreasing the risk for heart attack or stroke.
Administration of beta blockers at discharge
The body often responds to the increased stress of a heart attack or unstable angina with increased heart rate and blood pressure. Beta blockers slow the heart rate to reduce the heart's workload.
Smoking cessation counseling
Smoking greatly increased the risk of heart attack. Thinking about giving up tobacco is the first step. Smoking cessation counseling can help you determine how ready you are to stop, improving your chances of success when you do quit.
Data represents discharges from the first and second quarter of 2012. Updated 12/17/2012