STAT Heart - Prairie Cardiovascular

The Prairie STAT Heart Program

When a patient suffers a STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) — the most deadly form of a heart attack — prompt, seamless delivery of appropriate treatment can make a life-or-death difference. The Prairie STAT Heart Program helps community hospitals hone their lifesaving efforts.

Prairie Cardiovascular initiated the development of the Prairie STAT Heart Program in August 2004 under the direction of Dr. Frank Aguirre and Dr. Frank Mikel. The Prairie STAT Heart Program was one of the first in the country to focus on streamlining emergency care to meet the national goal of providing angioplasty (a non-surgical procedure to treat diseased arteries) within 90 to 120 minutes from a patient’s arrival at the community hospital (often referred to as the door-to-balloon time). This ensures that the patient located in a rural community receives emergent heart care as fast or faster than patients in larger urban areas.

Improving outcomes across our community

The key to the Prairie STAT Heart Program is detailed coordination of all aspects of emergent heart care. Protocols are provided to the 33 participating rural hospitals for the fastest possible triage and treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction patients. The team includes community and receiving hospital staff, air and ground transfer crews, cath lab teams and Prairie Cardiologists who administer highly specialized lifesaving treatments. We are treating the worst kind of heart attack as if it were a cardiac trauma.

Rural hospitals that want the fastest treatment for their patients have teamed with Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants to be a part of the Prairie STAT Heart Program.

Get In Touch

24/7 in Your Community

Prairie STAT Heart Coordinators are available in your community, on call, 24/7 to facilitate the rapid, emergent transfer of all STAT Heart patients.

Prairie STAT Heart Coordinators provide training, updates and ongoing communication on the STAT Heart process to all Community Hospitals, EMS ground and air transfer facilities and has partnered with the St. John’s School of Nursing for program accreditation.

The Prairie STAT Heart Nurse provides a detailed STAT Heart Report on every STAT Heart activation. This feedback to the Community Hospitals, EMS and Receiving Centers ensures quality, communication, process improvement measures, and best patient outcomes.

Julie Richardson, RN, BSN
Director
Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois

Dial, Don't Drive!

If you are having chest pain, it is important to dial 911.

The decision to dial and not drive can save precious minutes and provide you with access to lifesaving EMS treatment.

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Notice of Nondiscrimination: English

Prairie Cardiovascular is a Physician and APC of cardiovascular health care and treatments in multiple locations throughout central Illinois. Our organization provides the best cardiologists in the state, with renowned surgical precision and professional advice on heart-related concerns. We test and medically treat for all common heart symptoms such as chest pains, hypertension, high blood pressure, murmurs, palpitations, high cholesterol, and disease. We have several locations including major cities such as Decatur, Carbondale, O'Fallon, and Springfield.