Each year, thousands of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) fail to receive critical reperfusion therapy for their infarct artery in a timely fashion. Even worse, nearly 30 percent of patients with STEMI do not receive any reperfusion treatment.
Mission: Lifeline™ is the American Heart Association's national initiative to advance systems of care for STEMI patients. The initiative seeks to reduce mortality and morbidity and improve the overall quality of care for STEMI patients.
The ultimate goal of Mission: Lifeline™ is to save lives by closing the gaps that separate STEMI patients from timely access to the appropriate treatments.
North Dakota Mission: Lifeline Program Launch - September 2011
The Midwest Affiliate of the American Heart Association has secured $7.1 million in funding to implement Mission: Lifeline, a community-based initiative aimed at improving the system of care for heart attack patients, throughout North Dakota.
In an unprecedented collaborative effort, the initiative will be implemented over three years with funding from key partners that share a commitment to improving outcomes for patients across the state.
Phtoto Back row: Jolene Englehart (ND advocacy committee), June Herman (RVP Advocacy), Kevin Harker, Janet Maxson (AHA advocacy committee), Representative Jon Nelson – legislative champion.
Front row: Shelley Stingley (Helmsley), Joan Enderle (Communications), Governor Jack Dalrymple, Pam Miller (AHA grassroots), Carrie McLeod (ND Advocacy Chair), Bonnie Staiger (AHA lobbyist) and Bill Roach (national board chairman)
Lead funder is The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, which is providing two-thirds of the total with a grant of $4.4 million. Since 2009, The Helmsley Charitable Trust has invested more than $25 million in North Dakota in rural healthcare initiatives.
The State of North Dakota has committed $600,000, and a combined $1.3 million will be contributed by North Dakota’s largest healthcare systems: Trinity in Minot; Altru in Grand Forks; Essentia in Fargo; MedCenter One in Bismarck; Sanford Health in Fargo; and St. Alexius-PrimeCare in Bismarck. The Dakota Medical Foundation is supporting the initiative with a $100,000 grant, and the Otto Bremer Foundation has also committed $100,000 to Mission: Lifeline. In addition to overseeing and implementing the program, the American Heart Association will invest more than $430,000 in the initiative. The association is working with stakeholders and community partners to raise the remaining $100,000 needed to fully implement Mission: Lifeline across the state. The program will launch September 1, 2011.
“This initiative represents a significant investment in North Dakota’s healthcare system, especially in our rural areas,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “We are pleased to be partnering with The Helmsley Charitable Trust, and private and nonprofit organizations across the state to provide these important, lifesaving services to our citizens.” more
What is STEMI?
STEMI is an abbreviation for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, a severe heart attack caused by a prolonged period of blocked blood supply that affects a large area of the heart. Almost 400,000 people suffer from a STEMI heart attack each year, which carries a substantial risk of death and disability.
For more information or to become involved in Mission Lifeline activities in your region of North Dakota, please contact June Herman Director – Advocacy and State Health Alliances.
