• Over 3,000 New Mexicans die every year from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Like all heart attacks, S-T Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is caused by a blockage in the blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Primary treatment for STEMI entails eliminating the blockage in the blood vessel.
• 2013 legislation allows the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) to certify hospitals as (STEMI/Heart Attack) centers. Data submission to a national registry is one component of the process for STEMI center designation. Hospitals reporting to the National Cardiovascular data registry that also achieve a consistent level of excellence in evidence-based patient care are eligible to apply to the Society for Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC) for accreditation as a Mission Lifeline STEMI Receiving or Referring center.
• Sierra Vista Hospital and Sierra Vista Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) in Truth or Consequences had the special skills of heparin and clopidogrel approved by the Medical Direction Committee and the NMDOH EMS Bureau to expedite the care of STEMI patients in Sierra County.
• The NMDOH Epidemiology and Response EMS Bureau, working with statewide hospitals, held a quarterly meeting and subcommittee meeting to improve participation in STEMI patient care. Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces continues to be active in meetings and sharing of data.

• NM Environment Department Air Quality Bureau
• Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Health Status Workgroup
• Acute care hospitals in New Mexico
• EMS Agencies
• American Heart Association
• American College of Cardiology

• Evidence suggests that heart attack care data analysis improves patient outcomes. The American Heart Association recommends a multifaceted community-wide approach that involves patient education, improvements in emergency medical system and emergency department care, establishment of networks of STEMI-referral (non-percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]-capable) and STEMI-receiving (PCI-capable) hospitals, and coordinated advocacy efforts to work with payers and policy makers to implement health care system redesign.

• Engage with NM hospitals interested in data sharing and STEMI center designation.
• Assist advanced level of care facilities in meeting other requirements for STEMI Center designation.
• Improve the EMS Bureau’s ability to access and interpret state and national STEMI data.
• Collaborate with NM hospitals and EMS agencies toward improving all facets of STEMI care.
• Participate in the NMDOH Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Health Status Workgroup.

NMDOH EMS Bureau, Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau (EHEB), and Chronic Disease Bureau (CDB) will work to increase the percent of NM hospitals certified for STEMI care to reach the FY 17 Target of 4.6% (2 out of 43 acute care hospitals) as follows:

• Q1: Meet with two southern hospitals to review guidelines and system of care activities. Completed.
• Q2: Coordinate with EHEB and CDB on developing a coordinated data sharing plan for two hospitals interested in certification. Completed.
• Q3: Develop certification and data sharing plan with two southern hospitals at the quarterly meeting. Incomplete.
• Q4: At least two hospitals will be certified for STEMI care. Incomplete.

During FY17, the STEMI coordinator continually worked with statewide partners to improve the quality of care for STEMI patients in NM. Five hospitals are entering data into the data registry approved by NMDOH. The Department is determining the best data vendor with which to contract to access the aggregated hospital data. The participating hospitals, as well as hospitals interested in participating in the system of care, are dedicated to improved care. This includes not only data submission, but also quarterly meetings with local and state partners, as well as increased education and awareness for hospital and EMS caregivers.