Brandon Regional Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Center is committed to excellence and always seeking new ways to improve the quality and efficiency of its cardiac care program and save lives: through its comprehensive cardiovascular services, minimally invasive surgical techniques and cutting-edge technology. When the hospital opened its new electrophysiology program in 2009, it now meant the opportunity for patients experiencing abnormal heart rates and rhythms to receive advanced medical assessment and treatment for their condition.

Last year’s establishment of a chest pain observation unit enabled the hospital to streamline the process of diagnosing and providing efficient care to patients arriving with complaint of chest pain, so much so that as of last December, patients arriving in the ER with chest pain averaged a total stay of just 17.3 total hours, a significant milestone for the hospital.

Brandon Hospital has also made tremendous strides in their care of heart attack patients, including those suffering from STEMI. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), each year about 400,000 American experience a STEMI heart attack which impacts a large are of the area and carries with it a high risk of mortality and disability. STEMI, which stands for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, is defined by the AHA as a severe attack brought about by a prolonged period of a blocked blood supply, calling for quick responsiveness.

When any heart attack is experienced, the sooner blood flow is re-established to the heart, the lesser potential tissue damage and the better the patient outcome. Nationally, the recommended benchmark for STEMI response time is 90 minutes (that is, the time between the patient’s arrival throughout treatment until the point of restoring blood flow). At Brandon Regional Hospital, the team has frequently been able to provide life-saving care well under the national STEMI response time benchmark.

For instance, take 55-year-old Kevin Johnson, a helicopter pilot by trade with a STEMI time of 55 minutes and a new perspective on life. “Being grounded after my heart attack has given me time to work on my physical health and spend additional time with my family,” Johnson says. Or cardiac patient Cristina Andrews with a STEMI time of 57 minutes. “I was on my riding lawn mower when my heart attack symptoms occurred. I knew to come in out of the heat and call 9-1-1. I had just enough time to let the dogs out before I was taken to Brandon Regional Hospital.,” Andrews says. “Thanks to the wonderful care provided by Dr. Saba and the hospital staff, I’m back enjoying the Florida outdoors!”

Eileen Tait had a slightly different perspective when she realized what was happening. The Registered Nurse soon found herself in the role of the patient herself with a STEMI time of 58 minutes. “I instinctively knew all the right steps to take when I experienced a heart attack at home. My husband called 911, while I took 4 baby aspirin. EMS passed through traffic lights saving my heart precious time,” she says.

For additional information about Brandon Regional Hospital’s cardiac care program, go to the hospital’s website www.brandonhospital.com or call (813) 571-5167.