title: Regional Systems of Care Demonstration Project: American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline STEMI Systems Accelerator.
abstract: Up to 50% of patients fail to meet ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) guideline goals recommending a first medical contact-to-device time of <90 minutes for patients directly presenting to percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospitals and <120 minutes for transferred patients. We sought to increase the proportion of patients treated within guideline goals by organizing coordinated regional reperfusion plans.
  
  
  
  We established leadership teams, coordinated protocols, and provided regular feedback for 484 hospitals and 1253 emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in 16 regions across the United States.
  
  
  
  Between July 2012 and December 2013, 23 809 patients presented with acute STEMI (direct to percutaneous coronary intervention hospital: 11 765 EMS transported and 6502 self-transported; 5542 transferred). EMS-transported patients differed from self-transported patients in symptom onset to first medical contact time (median, 47 versus 114 minutes), incidence of cardiac arrest (10% versus 3%), shock on admission (11% versus 3%), and in-hospital mortality (8% versus 3%; P<0.001 for all comparisons). There was a significant increase in the proportion of patients meeting guideline goals of first medical contact-to-device time, including those directly presenting via EMS (50% to 55%; P<0.001) and transferred patients (44%-48%; P=0.002). Despite regional variability, the greatest gains occurred among patients in the 5 most improved regions, increasing from 45% to 57% (direct EMS; P<0.001) and 38% to 50% (transfers; P<0.001).
  
  
  
  This Mission: Lifeline STEMI Systems Accelerator demonstration project represents the largest national effort to organize regional STEMI care. By focusing on first medical contact-to-device time, coordinated treatment protocols, and regional data collection and reporting, we were able to increase significantly the proportion of patients treated within guideline goals.
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Jollis
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Hussein R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Al-Khalidi
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Mayme L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Roettig
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Claire C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Harold L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Dauerman
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Fordyce
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: J Lee
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Garvey
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Timothy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Ivan C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Rokos
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Sherwood
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Suter
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.).
authors.forename: B Hadley
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: From University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (J.G.J.); Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (H.R.A.-K., M.L.R., C.B.F., K.F., M.W.S., C.B.G.); Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY (P.B.B.); New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC (C.C.C.); University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (H.L.D.); Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC (J.L.G.); American Heart Association, Dallas, TX (T.G., R.E.S.); Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA (T.D.H.); UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (I.C.R.); and Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC (B.H.W.). christopher.granger@dm.duke.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Granger
mesh_terms: D000572:American Heart Association / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006323:Heart Arrest; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D010360:Patient Transfer; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D000072657:ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000401:mortality; D061665:Time-to-Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014481:United States
keywords: catheterization; myocardial infarction; reperfusion; survival