THE BEATNOVEMBER 2014
Recently Dr. Tommy L.
Miller, III Interventional
Cardiologist, with Mid-
South Heart Center
was invited to speak
to the employees at
Owens Corning in
Jackson. Dr. Miller
gave presentations on
cardiac care including
recognizing signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Dr. Miller visited the facility on multiple occasions to
ensure he reached the 250-team members of the Jackson plant.
We believe strongly in improving cardiovascular health and quality of life through prevention, detection,
and treatment of risk factors for our communities. One of the ways we can do this is with educational
events, health fairs and speaking opportunities.
If you are interested in having our team speak at your event, please contact Emily Garner with the West
Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center by calling 541-6828.
West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center Newsletter
The West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center was
the presenting sponsor in this year’s American Heart Association’s annual West
Tennessee Heart Walk. Over 600 came out to participate
in the fight against heart disease. The West TN
American Heart Association and WTHVC took advantage of the great opportunity to
connect with the community and raise awareness on the prevention of heart disease.
The West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center Welcomes Our Newest Team Members
Heart Health Education is the Heartof What We Do
Dr. Victor Farahof Heart and Vascular
Center of West TN
Dr. Naji Bourjiof Heart and Vascular
Center of West TN
Dr. Kelly Greenof The Jackson Clinic
Cardiology
AHA HEARTWALK SUCCESS
Camden General Hospital and West TN Heart and Vascular Center hold STEMI (Severe Heart Attack) Drill with Outstanding Results
On Aug 25, 2014, Camden General Hospital with West Tennessee
Heart & Vascular Center at Jackson-Madison County General
Hospital (JMCGH) held a STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial
infarction) drill. This is a deadly type of heart attack that is caused
by a prolonged blockage of blood supply in the heart.
The benefits of the drill are to evaluate the processes and
guidelines of what occurs when a patient experiences a heart
attack in the selected West TN Heart & Vascular Center outreach
service area. This drill was a team event between Camden
General Hospital, West TN Heart & Vascular Center at JMCGH,
Med Center EMS and Air Evac Lifeteam. These life-like trials help
to showcase the superb teamwork and processes each facility
has, in order to get each patient the best care needed during the
crucial stages of a heart attack.
Time is the enemy for a STEMI and Camden General
Hospital’s first choice of treatment for any patient having a heart
attack is to transfer the patient as quickly as possible to the
closest STEMI/PCI receiving facility, JMCGH, in order to stop the
heart attack and save heart muscle.
According to the latest guidelines by the American Heart
Association for the management of a STEMI, when transferring
a patient for treatment of a heart attack, the time should be less
than 120 minutes from the emergency department arrival at
transferring facility to placement of the stent/balloon in the heart
artery at the receiving facility. The goal for this drill is to work
together to decrease time, advance patient outcomes and improve
overall quality of care for the patient.
The mock STEMI and treatment began when the participating
man at the Benton County Senior Center complained of chest pain.
A senior center employee placed a call to 911. The trained 911
operators immediately instructed the patient to take four 81 mg
Aspirin tablets. Med Center EMS arrived shortly and the patient
was taken to Camden General Hospital. Within ten minutes the
team at Camden General Hospital administered blood thinner
medications to dissolve the clot. The Air Evac was notified by the
Med Center EMS in route and the flight was dispatched.
For the next several minutes, Camden General medical staff
recorded the patient’s vital signs, labs, an EKG and communicated
results with the West TN Heart & Vascular Center at Jackson-
Madison County General Hospital. The patient soon lifted off on his
way to receive life saving treatment with West TN Heart & Vascular
Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. The STEMI
drill was a success with a total transfer time of 91 minutes.
“Our STEMI drill was a great experience for our team and they
did incredible. We are especially proud of how quickly Dr. Ashmore
made the treatment plan and how it was carried out to ensure
the best possible outcome,” states Denny Smith CEO of Camden
General Hospital. STEMI drills are part of Camden General
Hospital, West TN Heart & Vascular Center, Med Center EMS and
Air Evac Lifeteam’s strive to continually improve the process and
treatment plans to increase outcomes for the lives of West TN
residents.
The transfer time of just 91 minutes from Camden Emergency
Department to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and the
life saving PCI procedures was well under the national standard.
The PCI or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention is the procedure
performed to open blocked coronary arteries. Total time of the drill
from onset of symptoms at Benton County Senior Center to PCI at
JMCGH was only 120 minutes. Congratulations and thank you to all
the Camden General Hospital staff, Benton County Senior Center
staff, the Med Center EMS, Air Evac team and the community who
participated in this successful event with the West TN Heart &
Vascular Center and JMCGH.
“I am honored be a part of WTHVC, we have some of the best physicians and team and it shows in how well we take care of our patients.” - Emily
Emily Garner has been a part of West TN Health Care for 16 years and is a huge resource for all of the heart and vascular team. As the Clinical Manager she manages operations for the cardiology departments. Emily also oversees the Chest Pain Center Accreditation process making sure that WTH is up to date on all technical advances that benefit our patients. She is a constant in community heart health education to raise awareness about preventing heart disease. Emily is the liaison for all the STEMI programs in all outreach areas of West TN.
This November Emily will present at the state wide STEMI conference to share her knowledge of the STEMI success in West TN. Whether its local TV, major community events or one on one with a family at WTHVC, Emily sees her role as educator for the prevention and treatment of all things cardiovascular.
A registered nurse with a heart for the heart health of every person in West TN, Emily spends her free time with her family and participating in travel baseball with her two boys.
Emily is your WTHVC contact for: • Chest Pain Center Accreditation • STEMI Programs • Outreach Liaison • Community Education • Cardiac Services within WTH
Emily’s office is located at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital within the Cardiac Rehab Department or you can reach her [email protected].
Emily Garner, RN, Clinical ManagerWest TN Heart & Vascular Center
Meet a Member of the WTHVC Team
One Phone Number For Complete Cardiovascular Care
731.541.CARE( 2 2 7 3 )
Cardiology Outreach Clinincs in Paris, Dyersburg, and Lexington