Chest Pain Centers & Emergency Departments
UofL Health – Heart Hospital is recognized as a Platinum Performance Achievement winner by the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry. To receive the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award, UofL Health – Heart Hospital has demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry for two consecutive years and performed at the top level for specific performance measures.
In 2016, UofL Health – Heart Hospital became the first hospital in Kentucky to receive a full Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC), an Institute of the American College of Cardiology. CPC-accredited hospitals demonstrate better survival rates and lower readmission rates for heart attack and heart failure patients.
UofL Health – Heart Hospital performs approximately 500 heart catheterizations related to heart attacks each year and has fewer deaths than the national average due to the higher standard of care.
UofL Health Emergency Rooms provide faster registration and shorter wait times, with a 30 minute or less door to doc commitment. Offering a faster bedside triage and faster provider assessment, diagnostics, and treatment. All the UofL Health Emergency Rooms are able and equipped to provide Advanced Cardiac Care; visit one of these 7 locations below if you are experiencing any heart disease-related symptoms.
- Heart Hospital – an Accredited Chest Pain Center (proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year)
- Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
- Shelbyville Hospital
- UofL Hospital
- South Hospital
- Medical Center East
- Medical Center Southwest
24 Hour STEMI Coverage
STEMI is an acronym meaning “ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction,” which is a type of severe heart attack. While all heart attacks are serious, those considered a STEMI – which involves a total artery blockage – require the quickest treatment. Because of the total blockage, STEMI heart attacks cause a rapid loss of heart muscle that cannot be regenerated. In these situations, time saved is muscle saved.
While a heart attack patient is still on the way to the emergency department, our physicians can get the vital data they need to make a diagnosis. If the heart attack requires intervention, we can activate our cardiac catheterization team immediately, allowing us to provide lifesaving care faster than ever before. It's all possible because of the STEMI network created by UofL Health – Heart Hospital and regional EMS providers.
Through our STEMI network, UofL Health emergency departments at Heart Hospital receive EKG results transmitted wirelessly by regional EMS providers when they suspect that a patient is having a STEMI in the field. Once the emergency department receives the patient’s EKG, and a total blockage is suspected, the emergency physician will then activate the cardiac catheterization lab team. When EMS arrives at UofL Health, hospital staff will transport the patient directly to the catheterization lab, allowing physicians to clear the blockage sooner. It ensures the area's quickest access to care that can stop a heart attack in progress.
Cardiac Observation Unit
When patients present at the UofL Health – Heart Hospital – Emergency Department with symptoms suggesting heart-related problems they will be expedited to the Cardiac Observation Unit.
Potential symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
Patients that present to the Cardiac Observation Unit will be expedited through processes to rule out serious underlying issues such as stress tests, echocardiogram, diuresis and rate control. If the patient has a positive result, a cardiologist will determine the next steps.
UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
