News and Events

04-18-2007

Hudson Hospital Partners in Level 1 Cardiac Program

Heart Attack sufferers have quick access to life-saving treatment and technology

Hudson, WI (April 2, 2007) Hudson Hospital is partnering with Regions Hospital to provide patients experiencing a heart attack direct access to the St. Paul hospital’s cardiac cathertization lab or other available lab. There, physicians can quickly perform an angioplasty to open an obstructed or narrowing in the arteries of the heart.

“When an individual is having a heart attack, every minute counts. Studies show that the risk of death and major heart attack related complications can be significantly reduced if the patient is promptly transferred to a hospital that performs high volume angioplasty, “ said Shailesh Shetty, MD, director of interventional cardiology at Regions. “The Level I Cardiac Program is an extension of the cardiac care we provide here at Regions Hospital.”

Under the program, Hudson Hospital and St. Croix Valley EMS transport services work in concert with Regions Heart Center staff to quickly diagnose, transport and treat patients having a heart attack. The goal is to open blocked arteries in the cathertization lab at Regions or other available cathertization lab in less than 90 minutes from when the patient is first seen at Hudson Hospital. According to studies, programs such as Regions’ Level I Cardiac can significantly reduce rates if death, recurrent heart attack, or disabling heart attack related complications.

The Level I Cardiac program begins when emergency department staff at Hudson Hospital or EMS crew responding to a call diagnoses a heart attack.

A call from Hudson Hospital’s Emergency Care Center to Region’s activates a team that prepares for the patient in the cardiac cathertization lab. The patient is prepared for transport and necessary medical information is sent to Regions. Meanwhile, emergency medical personnel are dispatched to quickly transport the patient via ambulance or helicopter to Regions where they are immediately met by a highly specialized cardiology team and brought immediately to the cathertization lab, bypassing the emergency department.

“We’re thrilled to bring this increased level of care to Western Wisconsin,” said Brad Hernandez, MD, medical director of Hudson Hospital’s Emergency Care Center. “While experts recommend treatment for a heart attack take no more than 90 minutes, the national average is 117 minutes. Regions Hospital has decreased its average to an impressive 65 minutes.”

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Hudson Hospital is a non-profit community hospital since 1953, and is located just off Interstate I-94 in Hudson, WI. The hospital campus is designed with the latest technology and amenities to support whole health and healing for patients and their families. Twenty-five private hospital rooms feature private bath, garden views, guest accommodations, room service for patients and guests, and spacious room to relax or visit with family, friends and even the family pet. Hudson Hospital recognizes the important role that family and friends can play in health and recovery, and personalizes a plan of care that works best for the patient and their family. Specialty services include inpatient and outpatient care in rehabilitation, emergency care, orthopaedic care, maternity and birth, surgery, cardiology, and treatment, rehabilitation and medical imaging.

Hudson Hospital , Hudson Physicians Clinic, Hudson Specialty Clinics and numerous other health care providers are conveniently located in the warm and comfortable environment of Hudson Health Campus.