Mt. Vernon, IL – SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital – Mt. Vernon is proud to announce the implementation of new technology, securing real-time communication solutions designed to accelerate care for patients experiencing a heart attack. These innovative systems enable outlying hospital partners and EMS teams to quickly transmit test and critical patient data to SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, ensuring rapid activation of all necessary departments, including Cardiology, Cath Lab, Emergency Department, and the Operations Center.
"This technology represents a major advancement in how we respond to cardiac emergencies," stated Damon Harbison, President of SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, and SSM Health Rural Health Network. "By partnering with our regional hospitals and EMS teams, we’re ensuring that patients receive the fastest, most coordinated care possible. Every second counts during a heart attack, and this technology helps us save lives."
Time is muscle during a heart attack, and this new technology significantly reduces delays by connecting community hospitals and EMS directly to hospital care teams. SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital is the first health care group within SSM Health and the Southern Illinois region to adopt this technology, reinforcing our commitment to leading-edge care and community health improvement.
The initiative includes collaboration with approximately 10 outlying hospitals to align workflows and ensure seamless integration. By leveraging this new communication technology, SSM Health expects improved times from hospital entry to opening the blocked artery, enhanced coordination, and ultimately better patient outcomes.
“As nurses, we are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. This state-of-the-art equipment allows us to prioritize care and assist in providing timely interventions to improve patient outcomes,” said Lori Scott, Director of Emergency Services at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital.
By investing in advanced technology for the region’s only cath labs serving nine counties, SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital is reinforcing its leadership in regional heart care.
About SSM Health
SSM Health is nationally recognized for quality and innovation. It is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential.
With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials, and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company, and an accountable care organization.
As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 15,000 providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.”
For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
