Quality Indicators for Heart Attack Treatment
The following are some of the best medical practices for treating a heart attack as outlined by the Federal Government. A best medical practice is a treatment that has been proven to provide the best results for most patients. These treatments are considered an important part of the patient's overall care.

Best practice calls for hospitals to make sure heart attack patients get the following care:

ACE Inhibitor for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction:
Patients should be given an ACE Inhibitor (a type of medication used to treat some heart problems by stopping the production of a hormone that can narrow blood vessels). The medicine helps to reduce the pressure in the heart, improve heart function, and lower blood pressure.

Aspirin at arrival:
Patients should receive aspirin with 24 hours of arriving at the hospital unless taking aspirin would be harmful (such as if the patient has an ulcer). Aspirin can help prevent blood clots from forming or help dissolve blood clots that have formed.

Aspirin at discharge:
Patients should receive advice from their doctor to remain on aspirin when they go home.

Beta-blocker at arrival:
Patients should be given a Beta-blocker (a type of medication used to lower blood pressure, treat chest pain and heart failure, and to help prevent a heart attack). The medicine relieve the stress on the heart by slowing the heart rate and reducing the force with which the heart muscles contract.

Beta-blocker at discharge:
Patients should receive a prescription for a Beta-blocker when they leave the hospital.

2007 Heart Attack (AMI) Quality Score Card
The ultimate goal for each indicator is 100%, and the staff of Bedford Regional Medical Center are continually working toward achieving that goal.