Dignity Health hospitals lead way in treatment of STEMI heart attacks on the Central Coast
Dignity Health’s French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria are both designated as STEMI Receiving Centers
When most people think of a heart attack, they’re envisioning a STEMI.
What exactly is a STEMI? An ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction – or STEMI – is the most serious kind of heart attack.
A STEMI heart attack is caused by a sudden and total blockage of a coronary artery and can be deadly. The chance for damage to the heart muscle increases with every minute treatment is delayed.
The most common symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea, stomach pain or discomfort.
Not all hospitals have the staff, equipment and resources to treat these severe heart attacks. The facilities that do meet the requirements to treat STEMIs are designated STEMI Receiving Centers.
French Hospital Medical Center, Marian Regional Medical Center hold STEMI Receiving Center status
Dignity Health’s French Hospital Medical Center is the only designated STEMI Receiving Center located in San Luis Obispo County.
French Hospital is certified as SLO County’s STEMI Receiving Center by the San Luis Obispo Emergency Medical Services Agency (SLOEMSA) and the designation means the hospital’s cardiac team is ready around the clock, 365 days a year, to diagnose and treat STEMI heart attacks.
French Hospital isn’t the only area Dignity Health facility to hold STEMI Receiving Center status.
Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria is also a STEMI Receiving Center and, according to SLOEMSA, STEMI patients in the southern part of SLO County may be transported to Marian if it’s the closest STEMI Receiving Center.
Marian has been designated as a STEMI Receiving Center by the Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services Agency and also treats STEMI patients from Santa Barbara County.
The three remaining hospitals in San Luis Obispo County, including Dignity Health Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, are designated STEMI Referral Hospitals.
STEMI Receiving status means the facility consistently meets or exceeds the standard for “door-to-balloon” treatment time established by the American College of Cardiology for optimal outcomes and maintains an advanced communication system to notify needed personnel while a patient is in transport to the hospital so there is no delay in life-saving treatment.
Teams at the ready to treat STEMI heart attacks
The teams at French Hospital’s Copeland, Forbes and Rossi Cardiac Care Center and Marian’s Sue J. Sword Heart Center are composed of highly trained cardiologists, emergency physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals who are dedicated to providing the best possible care for patients.
"At French Hospital Medical Center, we lead the way in cardiac care for San Luis Obispo County,” says the Director of Cardiovascular Services at French, Kristi Dickson, RN, BSN. “As the sole designated STEMI Receiving Center located in SLO County, we offer a comprehensive range of cardiac services, staffed around the clock to address acute emergencies.”
Dickson says French’s “cutting-edge structural heart program” excels in minimally invasive procedures, such as TAVR and Mitraclip, “while our cath lab pioneers treatments for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and electrophysiology disorders.”
“With the newest Cath Lab on the Central Coast and ongoing facility enhancements, we're committed to delivering top-tier cardiac care to our community," Dickson says.
Jessica Bower, MSN, RN, the Senior Director of Perioperative and Cardiovascular Services at Marian Regional Medical Center, notes Marian’s distinguished work in cardiac care.
“As a recipient of the 2023 Healthgrades Coronary Intervention Excellence Award and a Santa Barbara County STEMI designee; our outstanding clinical outcomes, as well as distinguished coronary interventional, care demonstrates Marian Regional Medical Center's commitment to providing comprehensive cardiac care with advanced innovative technology, and skilled professionals to care for your whole heart around the clock."
How are STEMIs treated?
A dedicated cardiac catheterization lab allows the teams to perform life-saving procedures such as angioplasty and stenting. These procedures can help to restore blood flow to the heart and prevent further damage.
An angioplasty, or percutaneous coronary intervention, is where a small hollow tube is inserted through a blood vessel in your arm, or at the top of your thigh, and a catheter is guided through the sheath to your heart. Contrast dye and X-rays are used to view the catheter in real time and a blocked artery is opened up by inflating a balloon at the tip of the catheter.
A stent is then placed to help the artery stay open. The catheter is then removed and the insertion site is closed with a bandage.
Staying ahead of the curve
French Hospital debuted its new heart catheterization lab that features advanced technology and equipment, including a GE Allia IGS 730 fluoroscopy system, in July 2023.
Marian Regional Medical Center was recognized as a 2023 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting doctors and patients.
Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards recognize the top 10% of hospitals across the country in 17 specialty care areas.
To learn about how these Dignity Health Central Coast facilities care for your heart, visit https://www.dignityhealth.org/central-coast/services/cardiac-care.