Unity Medical Center Secures 3-Year Acute Cardiac Ready Hospital Designation

 Lindsey Gellner, RN, Emergency Department Manager

Unity Medical Center (UMC) has received the full three-year Acute Cardiac Ready Hospital designation from the North Dakota Cardiac System of Care (part of the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services). UMC is the third hospital in North Dakota to receive this designation along with CHI Mercy Hospital in Valley City and Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

This means that UMC is recognized as a STEMI referring center. A STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, is a severe type of heart attack characterized by a complete blockage of a coronary artery, causing significant damage to the heart muscle. Rapid identification, treatment, and transfer of STEMI patients offer the greatest chance of recovery.

According to Lindsey Gellner, RN, Emergency Department Manager, “After a yearlong process of developing and refining treatment protocols and performing  internal reviews, in addition to developing a STEMI performance improvement program, we have received the highest recognition of cardiac care. Our function at UMC is to provide excellent stabilizing care and work closely with EMS and regional partners to provide definitive transport and management of our patients. We have always strived to provide excellent care for our patients. This recognition demonstrates our ongoing commitment to provide excellent care to not only our cardiac patients but all of our patients.”