THE BEATNOVEMBER 2014

Recently Dr. Tommy L.

Miller, III Interventional

Cardiologist, with Mid-

South Heart Center

was invited to speak

to the employees at

Owens Corning in

Jackson. Dr. Miller

gave presentations on

cardiac care including

recognizing signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Dr. Miller visited the facility on multiple occasions to

ensure he reached the 250-team members of the Jackson plant.

We believe strongly in improving cardiovascular health and quality of life through prevention, detection,

and treatment of risk factors for our communities. One of the ways we can do this is with educational

events, health fairs and speaking opportunities.

If you are interested in having our team speak at your event, please contact Emily Garner with the West

Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center by calling 541-6828.

West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center Newsletter

The West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center was

the presenting sponsor in this year’s American Heart Association’s annual West

Tennessee Heart Walk. Over 600 came out to participate

in the fight against heart disease. The West TN

American Heart Association and WTHVC took advantage of the great opportunity to

connect with the community and raise awareness on the prevention of heart disease.

The West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center Welcomes Our Newest Team Members

Heart Health Education is the Heartof What We Do

Dr. Victor Farahof Heart and Vascular

Center of West TN

Dr. Naji Bourjiof Heart and Vascular

Center of West TN

Dr. Kelly Greenof The Jackson Clinic

Cardiology

AHA HEARTWALK SUCCESS

Camden General Hospital and West TN Heart and Vascular Center hold STEMI (Severe Heart Attack) Drill with Outstanding Results

On Aug 25, 2014, Camden General Hospital with West Tennessee

Heart & Vascular Center at Jackson-Madison County General

Hospital (JMCGH) held a STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial

infarction) drill. This is a deadly type of heart attack that is caused

by a prolonged blockage of blood supply in the heart.

The benefits of the drill are to evaluate the processes and

guidelines of what occurs when a patient experiences a heart

attack in the selected West TN Heart & Vascular Center outreach

service area. This drill was a team event between Camden

General Hospital, West TN Heart & Vascular Center at JMCGH,

Med Center EMS and Air Evac Lifeteam. These life-like trials help

to showcase the superb teamwork and processes each facility

has, in order to get each patient the best care needed during the

crucial stages of a heart attack.

Time is the enemy for a STEMI and Camden General

Hospital’s first choice of treatment for any patient having a heart

attack is to transfer the patient as quickly as possible to the

closest STEMI/PCI receiving facility, JMCGH, in order to stop the

heart attack and save heart muscle.

According to the latest guidelines by the American Heart

Association for the management of a STEMI, when transferring

a patient for treatment of a heart attack, the time should be less

than 120 minutes from the emergency department arrival at

transferring facility to placement of the stent/balloon in the heart

artery at the receiving facility. The goal for this drill is to work

together to decrease time, advance patient outcomes and improve

overall quality of care for the patient.

The mock STEMI and treatment began when the participating

man at the Benton County Senior Center complained of chest pain.

A senior center employee placed a call to 911. The trained 911

operators immediately instructed the patient to take four 81 mg

Aspirin tablets. Med Center EMS arrived shortly and the patient

was taken to Camden General Hospital. Within ten minutes the

team at Camden General Hospital administered blood thinner

medications to dissolve the clot. The Air Evac was notified by the

Med Center EMS in route and the flight was dispatched.

For the next several minutes, Camden General medical staff

recorded the patient’s vital signs, labs, an EKG and communicated

results with the West TN Heart & Vascular Center at Jackson-

Madison County General Hospital. The patient soon lifted off on his

way to receive life saving treatment with West TN Heart & Vascular

Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. The STEMI

drill was a success with a total transfer time of 91 minutes.

“Our STEMI drill was a great experience for our team and they

did incredible. We are especially proud of how quickly Dr. Ashmore

made the treatment plan and how it was carried out to ensure

the best possible outcome,” states Denny Smith CEO of Camden

General Hospital. STEMI drills are part of Camden General

Hospital, West TN Heart & Vascular Center, Med Center EMS and

Air Evac Lifeteam’s strive to continually improve the process and

treatment plans to increase outcomes for the lives of West TN

residents.

The transfer time of just 91 minutes from Camden Emergency

Department to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and the

life saving PCI procedures was well under the national standard.

The PCI or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention is the procedure

performed to open blocked coronary arteries. Total time of the drill

from onset of symptoms at Benton County Senior Center to PCI at

JMCGH was only 120 minutes. Congratulations and thank you to all

the Camden General Hospital staff, Benton County Senior Center

staff, the Med Center EMS, Air Evac team and the community who

participated in this successful event with the West TN Heart &

Vascular Center and JMCGH.

“I am honored be a part of WTHVC, we have some of the best physicians and team and it shows in how well we take care of our patients.” - Emily

Emily Garner has been a part of West TN Health Care for 16 years and is a huge resource for all of the heart and vascular team. As the Clinical Manager she manages operations for the cardiology departments. Emily also oversees the Chest Pain Center Accreditation process making sure that WTH is up to date on all technical advances that benefit our patients. She is a constant in community heart health education to raise awareness about preventing heart disease. Emily is the liaison for all the STEMI programs in all outreach areas of West TN.

This November Emily will present at the state wide STEMI conference to share her knowledge of the STEMI success in West TN. Whether its local TV, major community events or one on one with a family at WTHVC, Emily sees her role as educator for the prevention and treatment of all things cardiovascular.

A registered nurse with a heart for the heart health of every person in West TN, Emily spends her free time with her family and participating in travel baseball with her two boys.

Emily is your WTHVC contact for: • Chest Pain Center Accreditation • STEMI Programs • Outreach Liaison • Community Education • Cardiac Services within WTH

Emily’s office is located at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital within the Cardiac Rehab Department or you can reach her atemily.garner@WTH.org.

Emily Garner, RN, Clinical ManagerWest TN Heart & Vascular Center

Meet a Member of the WTHVC Team

One Phone Number For Complete Cardiovascular Care

731.541.CARE( 2 2 7 3 )

Cardiology Outreach Clinincs in Paris, Dyersburg, and Lexington