Heart Attack Care
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What is a heart attack?
A heart attack is an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A heart attack occurs when an artery becomes blocked, cutting off the supply of blood and oxygen to part of the heart muscle. Without the oxygen and nutrients it needs, the heart tissue can die.
How does it affect care?
Because heart attacks can be fatal, it’s extremely important to recognize the symptoms and respond quickly. This is especially true for people who have already had a cardiac arrest, when the heart’s pumping action stops suddenly.
How does Asante try to prevent or treat a heart attack?
At Asante we provide the specific care that the latest scientific research has shown is most effective in treating heart attack patients:
- Aspirin
- Beta-blocker, a medication the reduces blood pressure
- Angioplasty, a procedure to open up a blocked artery to restore blood flow
- Medications helpful for treating heart pump failure, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Advice and counseling for smoking cessation
How are we doing?
Asante’s goal is to have a 99.2 percent rate of compliance, which matches the rate of the top-performing hospitals in the United States.
Heart Failure Care
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What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a serious chronic condition in which the heart is not able to pump enough blood throughout the body. When the heart’s pumping ability becomes weak, it causes other symptoms, including:
- Blood and fluid backup in the lungs
- Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet (edema)
- Tiredness and shortness of breath
How does it affect care?
Approximately 5 million Americans suffer from heart failure, and it contributes to 300,000 deaths each year. Heart failure is typically caused by other underlying conditions, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It is important to identify and treat these root causes in addition to treating the heart failure symptoms.
How does Asante try to prevent or treat heart failure?
At Asante we provide the specific care that the latest scientific research indicates is most effective for treating heart failure:
- Appropriate discharge instructions
- Evaluation of heart pumping function
- Medication to treat poor heart pumping function, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Advice and counseling for smoking cessation
How are we doing?
Asante’s goal is to have a 97.2 percent rate of compliance, which matches the rate of the top performing hospitals in the United States.
Pneumonia Care
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What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs. It is typically caused by an infection (viral, bacterial, or fungal), which fills the lungs with mucus and makes it difficult to get enough oxygen. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, trouble breathing, chills, chest pain, and a “wet” cough.
How does it affect care?
Pneumonia can be fatal. Every year 5 percent of people with pneumonia die, making it the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
How does Asante try to prevent or treat pneumonia?
At Asante, we provide the specific care that the latest scientific research has shown is most effective in treating pneumonia patients:
- Appropriate use and selection of antibiotics
- Vaccination against lung infection (pneumococcal vaccination)
- Measurement the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream
- Advice and counseling for smoking cessation
How are we doing?
Asante’s goal is to have a 97.1 percent rate of compliance, which matches the rate of the top-performing hospitals in the United States.
Surgical Care
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What is the Surgical Care Improvement Project?
The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) is a national quality partnership of organizations committed to improving the safety of surgical care through reducing post-surgery complications. SCIP was formed with the ultimate goal of saving lives by significantly improving patient care.
How does surgery affect overall hospital care?
Patients undergoing surgery are at risk for developing complications that can create additional health risks, lengthen their stay in the hospital, or even be fatal. These complications include infections at the surgical site, blood clots, and heart attacks.
How does Asante try to prevent or treat surgery-related problems?
At Asante, our care of surgery patients follows recommendations based on current scientific research, and endorsed by SCIP, to minimize post-operative risks:
- Appropriate selection and use of antibiotics
- Controlling blood glucose of cardiac surgery patients
- Clipping the hair of surgery patients rather than shaving
- Maintaining normal temperature in colorectal surgery patients
How are we doing?
Asante’s goal is to have a 97.8 percent rate of compliance, which matches the rate of the top performing hospitals in the United States.
