Approximately 70 million Americans suffer from cardiovascular disease, the nation’s leading killer of both men and women in all racial and ethnic groups, according to the American Heart Association. In our own community, St. Louis ranks fourth in deaths from heart disease. The need for high quality cardiovascular care has never been greater. For this reason, St. John’s Mercy built the St. John’s Mercy Heart and Vascular Hospital, the first hospital in St. Louis devoted exclusively to heart and vascular care, which opened June 27, 2006.

St. John’s Mercy is committed to clinical quality as we strive to make a true and lasting difference in the lives of the cardiovascular patients we serve. Select from the links below to learn more about our cardiovascular quality initiatives:

Innovations in Patient Care Research, Clinical Education and Outreach Our Heart and Vascular Team Women's Heart Health Wellness and Prevention View National Quality Indicators Regarding Heart Attack View National Quality Indicators Regarding Heart Failure

Innovations in Patient Care
Our innovative approach to cardiovascular patient care, combined with advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities, results in enhanced clinical quality for the patients we serve. Patient outcomes are improved by the initiatives below, which enable us to ensure an immediate response and convenient access to our care.

• Code Heart Attack – The cardiovascular team at St. John’s Mercy has implemented a new, life-saving program called Code Heart Attack. It incorporates a team of co-workers from the Emergency Department (ED), the cardiac catheterization lab, the Performance Optimization department and rapid-response nurses. When a patient presents with heart attack symptoms, the Code Heart Attack pager system is activated. The goal is to take no more than 90 minutes from the patient's arrival until they receive heart-saving interventions in our cardiac catheterization lab. This goal exceeds the JCAHO requirement of 120 minutes or less. This innovative system has benefited numerous cardiac patients at St. John's Mercy.

• Rapid Access Line – The rapid access line (RAL) is a service for referring physicians that connects them with immediate access to cardiovascular services at St. John’s Mercy. The RAL is staffed 24 hours a day by experienced cardiovascular nurses who assist with referrals, triage, transfers, admissions and follow up. Referring physicians may contact the RAL by calling 1-877-9-HRT-DRS.

• Patient Heart Line – Patients who need information about heart services, the new St. John's Mercy Heart Hospital, or assistance with finding a cardiovascular physician, may do so free of charge by calling 1-866-78-HEART. Our patient heart line is staffed by referral specialists and nurses who work one-on-one with patients to address their information needs. For patients who need a physician, we provide the names of several physicians (based on individual requirements), as well as their qualifications and background information.

Research, Clinical Education and Outreach
St. John's Mercy stays abreast of innovations and advances in cardiovascular care through participation in national clinical trials, clinical education initiatives and community outreach efforts.

• CREST Trial - St. John's Mercy Medical Center is one of 60 medical centers in the nation chosen to participate in the CREST (Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting) trial. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, CREST is a randomized clinical trial to compare a minimally invasive procedure called carotid artery stenting with the surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy. The trial compares the effectiveness of both procedures in preventing stroke, heart attack and death during the 30-day period immediately following either procedure. Over a multiyear follow-up of patients who receive the stenting procedure, the trial will also document the incidence of stroke occurring on the same side of the brain in which the stent was placed.

• CAPTURE Trial - St. John's Mercy Medical Center is one of 150 medical centers in the nation chosen to participate in the CAPTURE (Carotid ACCULINK/ACCUNET Post Approval Trial to Uncover Rare Events) trial, a study to investigate carotid artery stenting in high-risk patients. For patients who are ineligible or at high risk for traditional surgery, carotid stenting provides a minimally invasive breakthrough therapy to reduce the risk of stroke. The CAPTURE trial will document the incidence of stroke, death and heart attack at 30 days following the carotid stenting procedure.

• Clinical Education - St. John's Mercy offers a variety of educational opportunities for physicians, nurses and other medical professionals. We provide Clinical Medical Education (CME) programs as well as ad hoc courses and symposiums on contemporary issues and trends in cardiovascular care.

• Community Outreach - St. John's Mercy physicians, nurses and other medical professionals are available for lectures and speaking engagements with community organizations, employers, professional groups and other organizations. Our cardiovascular experts help raise awareness and understanding of important issues such as women's heart health, heart disease prevention, smoking cessation, nutrition and exercise, and early detection of cardiovascular diseases. For more information, please contact the St. John's Mercy Speakers Bureau at 314-364-4774.

Our Heart and Vascular Team
As a teaching and research facility, St. John's Mercy draws health care professionals from across the nation who specialize in cardiovascular health. We are proud to have a staff of physicians with in-depth expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disease. Our team of cardiologists, cardiovascular and vascular surgeons and medical professionals provide advanced treatment options and technologies through the St. John's Mercy Heart and Vascular Hospital, a state-of-the-art healing environment. Our caring staff members work together to make important diagnostic and treatment decisions, while caring for the whole person. Our patients benefit from a team approach to cardiovascular care, which brings together our combined experience and success in treating heart and vascular disease. Through our leading-edge model of care, we are setting the bar for advanced cardiovascular services in St. Louis.

Women's Heart Health
A recent study of the American Heart Association indicates that only 13 percent of women consider cardiovascular disease their greatest health risk. However, the disease claims nearly half a million women's lives each year. As a leader in providing comprehensive health care to women, St. John's Mercy is now focusing our vast expertise and resources on women's heart health. Designed with the special needs of women in mind, the St. John's Mercy Heart and Vascular Hospital provides women a host of resources in a private, dedicated, compassionate environment. From inpatient diagnostic testing to advanced surgical treatment options, the St. John's Mercy Heart Hospital is committed to preventing, detecting and treating cardiovascular disease in women.

• "Fitness First" Program - St. John's Mercy Sports & Therapy offers the "Fitness First" program, which is designed specifically for cardiac patients. A registered nurse and exercise physiologist offer an individualized exercise/education program for those with risk factors for heart disease.

• Dietary Counseling and Nutrition Services - Individual dietary assessment and nutritional counseling are provided by St. John's Mercy community dietitians. To contact a community dietitian, please call 314-251-8885.

• Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs - St. John's Mercy offers extensive inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs to help patients return to health following a cardiac event or medical procedure. Medical referral is required.

• Classes, Events and Support Groups - St. John's Mercy promotes community health by offering classes, screenings, health events and special services throughout the year. Support groups and wellness classes designed specifically for cardiovascular patients are available. Many programs are free of charge, and some require a reasonable fee. For a complete listing, please visit www.stjohnsmercy.org/classes.

© 2009 St. John's Mercy Health Care
615 S. New Ballas Rd., St. Louis, Missouri, 63141