The MultiCare Pulse Heart Institute team at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital was recently recognized for providing the fastest heart attack care in Eastern Washington and tied for the fastest time in entire state for 2019. The Pulse team averaged 44 minutes for door to balloon time – 14 minutes faster than the state’s median time for heart attack care and nearly 50% quicker than the American Heart Association’s recommendation for the best patient outcomes.
The Pulse Heart Institute at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital was also honored at the annual statewide COAP (Clinical Outcomes Assessment Program) meeting for being one of four hospitals to receive a 2020 Cardiac Surgery Award for top performance in the state. Additionally, Deaconess was recognized for having the lowest length of stay for cardiac surgery patients, as well as being in the top three hospitals for lowest mortality, blood usage and reoperation.
“We take pride in providing excellent care for our patients, increasing quantity and quality of life” explained Dr. Bragin-Sanchez, Medical Director for MultiCare’s Pulse Heart Institute. “With a heart attack we say time is muscle. Which means the quicker we can open the clogged artery that caused the heart attack the higher the probability the patient will live. The more heart muscle we save, the lower the risk of developing complications later in life like arrhythmias or heart failure.”
The Foundation for Health Care Quality Clinical Outcomes Assessment Program (COAP) was formed in 1997. COAP’s purpose is to support all hospitals and clinicians in achieving the highest levels of patient care and outcomes. COAP convenes clinicians from across the region at monthly meetings to review data, discuss current challenges, and identify areas for improvement. Individual hospitals and physicians are supported with real time data reports and access to COAP community resources and expertise. Every June, members convene to award excellence in cardiac care, review the prior year’s data, share practice, discuss current issues in cardiac care and further build community.