ProMedica Flower Hospital Newly Designated as a STEMI Center

Recently, the Ohio Department of Health officially designated ProMedica Flower Hospital as a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) center. This designation permits local EMS to take patients in need of emergency heart care directly to ProMedica Flower Hospital instead of a farther location.

A STEMI heart attack is the deadliest kind of heart attack and is caused by a sudden, complete blockage of a coronary artery. As a result, the heart muscle is unable to receive blood and begins to fail.

“Every second really counts, especially during this type of heart attack, and having this emergency care available in the Sylvania area will be excellent for patients,” said Stacey Karnes, director of nursing for cardiac care.

Staff from ProMedica Toledo Hospital cardiac cath lab rotate to the lab at ProMedica Flower Hospital and bring their experience and dedication to caring for this population of patients.

To treat this type of heart attack, blood flow must be restored quickly to reduce a patient’s risk of damage to the heart or death. Treatment can include medication therapy, a non-surgical catheter procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or surgery.

“It has really been an exciting, strategic process to establish this level of care, complete with a new cardiac cath lab at our hospital,” said Darrell Wachowiak, president of ProMedica Flower Hospital. “Our highly skilled physicians are highly trained in STEMI care and have been recognized by the American College of Cardiology.”