Northeast Michigan patients with STEMI had needed to go to other hospitals to reestablish blood flow to their heart. However, after the Alpena hospital received a new certificate of need from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, staff there now can perform the procedure.

Invasive Cardiologist Dr. Daniel Harber said in a statement that will help save lives.

“We are so glad to be able to offer this streamlined treatment approach for patients experiencing cardiac emergencies,” Harber said in the statement. “Time is muscle, and, when it comes to the heart, every second counts. Upon arrival to the cardiac catheterization lab, a diagnostic catheterization is performed to locate the site of the blockage. Once located, an intervention is performed to open the artery and reestablish blood flow.”

To identify patients with STEMI, paramedics from local emergency medical services agencies are being trained by MyMichigan Emergency Medical Services to recognize a STEMI on a 12-lead electrocardiogram.

Courtesy Photo Staff members prepare a new cardiac catheterization lab at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena in this undated photo provided by the hospital.

Nicholas Harrison, MyMichigan Medical Center EMS Alpena operations supervisor, said agencies such as Alcona County EMS, the Alpena Fire Department, Hillman EMS, the Rogers City Ambulance Authority, Tri-Township EMS, and Albert Township Fire Department in Lewiston are in active collaboration for specialized training.

“To ensure overall success of the program, we are actively collaborating with other local EMS agencies to provide training and share best practices,” Harrison said in a statement. “We also anticipate additional local agencies partnering with us in the future.”

Interventional cardiologists have joined the cardiology team at the Alpena hospital and the operating room area now has a new cardiac catheterization lab.

If a STEMI patient is identified, a new alert program allows EMS to bypass the emergency room and take the patient directly into the new lab for the lifesaving procedure.

In STEMI patients, the coronary artery is completely blocked by a blood clot, which kills off heart muscle that is supplied by the artery.

“We urge community members not to ignore the warning signs of a heart attack,” Harrison said. “The best way to prevent irreversible heart damage is to dial 911 immediately. Upon arrival, emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car.”