Temecula Valley Hospital has been approved by San Diego County as a STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) Receiving Center and Stroke Receiving Center. The hospital is already a designated receiving center for Riverside County and the latest designation means that Temecula Valley Hospital can provide care for stroke and STEMI patients in both counties.
This designation allows for stroke and STEMI heart attack patients in San Diego County to be transported by emergency medical services to Temecula Valley Hospital if the facility is the nearest medical center or if it is the patient’s preferred hospital. Prior to this designation, stroke and STEMI patients in San Diego County were transported to hospitals within county lines.
“We are pleased to have earned this designation as it will allow us to provide the safest and highest quality care for the patient,” said Darlene Wetton, Chief Executive Officer, Temecula Valley Hospital. “Stroke and STEMI cases are urgent matters and our specialized teams are able to provide prompt care in a patient-centered environment.”
“Since time is of the essence in the diagnosis and treatment of these stroke and heart attack patients, access to the closest qualified hospital in an emergency situation will result in the best outcome to the patient,” said Monika Gupta, MD, Neurologist.
“It is important that the STEMI patients end up at the right facility in as little time as possible. The earlier that we see them, the better their chance will be at surviving the heart attack. We have a great STEMI program here at Temecula Valley Hospital,” added Andrew Ho, MD, Cardiologist.
To receive Stroke and STEMI Receiving Center designations, Temecula Valley Hospital had to meet or exceed national standards for providing care and demonstrating better patient outcomes. “It’s a very stringent process that involves putting together specialized teams, training staff and collecting performance data,” said Katie Baca, Cardiac Program Coordinator, Temecula Valley Hospital. “However, all of the efforts are worth it if it means that we are able to provide better care for our patients.”
Temecula Valley Hospital is located at 31700 Temecula Parkway, and brings advanced technology, innovative programs, patient-centered and family sensitive care to area residents. The hospital features 140 private patient rooms, 24 hour a day emergency care, advanced cardiac and stroke care, orthopedics and general medical care and surgical specialties. More information on Temecula Valley Hospital can be found at www.temeculavalleyhospital.com.
(In featured photo, from left to right is:
Jacquelyn Ramirez, Director, Emergency Services
Robert Steele, MD, Assistant Medical Director
Katie DiDonato, Chief Nursing Officer
Pranav Kachhi, MD, Medical Director)