Heart attack — also called acute myocardial infarction, or AMI — is the No. 1 cause of death in our country. Heart attacks occur when a cholesterol blockage in an artery of the heart ruptures like when a popcorn kernel pops open. A blood clot then forms on top of this ruptured cholesterol blockage and causes a 100% clogged/blocked artery. Because blood cannot get through the artery, that part of the heart muscle dies. The heart may then be weakened, which in turn may cause heart failure.

With proper diagnostic tests and therapies, the chance of dying from a heart attack is much less and the disability and physical weakness which a heart attack can cause is lessened. Here are a few examples:

*Includes Data Measures Apr 1, 2010 through Mar, 31 2011

HEART ATTACK DeKalb Memorial Hospital Ave of All Hospitals Reporting in the State Ave of All Hospitals Reporting in the Nation
Average number of minutes before outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who needed specialized care were transferred to another hospital (a lower number of minutes is better) 42 min*  45 min  60 min 
Average number of minutes before outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack got an ECG (a lower number of minutes is better) 8 min  6 min  8 min 
Outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who got drugs to break up blood clots within 30 minutes of arrival (higher numbers are better) 100%*  64%  57% 
Outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who got aspirin within 24 hours of arrival (higher numbers are better) 98%  95%  96% 
Received Aspirin on Arrival
(Aspirin thins the blood promptly, improves survival with a heart attack, and decreases chance of second heart attack)		 100%*  99%  99% 
Aspirin Prescribed at Discharge
(Aspirin thins the blood promptly, improves survival with a heart attack, and decreases chance of second heart attack)		 92%*  99%  99% 
ACEI or ARB for Patients with Weakened Heart
(ACEI have been shown to improve survival and quality of life after heart attack)		 67%*  97%  96% 
Adult Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling
(Smoking has been shown to increase the chance of heart attacks.)		 100%*  100%  100% 
Thrombolytic agent received within 30-minutes of hospital arrival
(Thrombolytics are the "clot busters". The faster these are given, there is less heart damage, thus better survival and better quality of life after discharge)		 **see below*  67%  58% 

**0 Patients
*Number of cases was too small ( < 25) to reliably predict performance*
Last Updated: Jan 27, 2012
*Includes Data Measures Apr 1, 2010 through Mar, 31 2011


Note: Should the scores on the Quality Indicators be 100 percent all the time? This is the goal strived for and many times achieved. However, at times it is important not to be 100 percent. For instance, if a person is allergic to the recommended antibiotic, one should not be given it. Another example is after discussing benefits, risks, and alternatives with the patient, the patient decides not to receive the recommended medicine or treatment. These examples would be reflected as a score lower than 100 percent.

Aspirin. Aspirin thins a person's blood. This decreases the size of the blood clot which forms and decreases the chance of death. Aspirin also decreases the chance of having a future heart attack.

ACEI for LVSD (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor for Low Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction). ACEI medications allow the heart to pump more effectively, decrease a person's chance for a second heart attack and allow them to be more physically active after a heart attack. These drugs are useful for all people with heart attacks, particularly those whose heart has been damaged by the heart attack.

Beta-blockers. Beta-blockers help stabilize the electrical activity of the heart. They decrease the chance of dying from the heart attack and decrease the chance of having another heart attack.

Adult smoking cessation advice/counseling. Smoking has been shown to increase the chance of heart attacks. It is important to give information and counseling on how to stop smoking.

Thrombolytic agent received within 30-minutes of hospital arrival. These are known as the "clot busters." During a heart attack, a blood clot forms on top of a ruptured cholesterol blockage, making the blood vessel 100 percent clogged. In most patients, the "clot buster" will dissolve enough of the clot to allow blood to start flowing around the blockage again. This decreases the amount of permanent heart muscle damage that can result from a heart attack. The sooner the "clot buster" is given, the better the results. The goal is to give it within 30-minutes of hospital arrival.

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