Oceanside CA— Tri-City Medical Center has received the Mission: Lifeline Receiving Center Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. This marks the second consecutive year Tri-City Medical Center has received a Mission: Lifeline award for its heart attack treatment. In 2014, it earned the Silver-Plus award.
Each year in the United States, approximately 250,000 people have a STEMI, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to immediately restore blood flow, either by surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication.
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 9-1-1 call and continuing through hospital treatment.
“Tri-City Medical Center is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients who suffer a heart attack and will take whatever measures necessary to ensure their health and well-being,” said Tim Moran, CEO of Tri-City Medical Center. “We are pleased to be recognized for our commitment and achievements in cardiac care and will continue pushing for superior care for our community.”
The Mission: Lifeline Receiving Center Gold-Plus award recognizes that the hospital has reached an achievement score of 85 percent or greater for treating STEMI transfer patients within 120 minutes over the past two years.
“We commend Tri-City Medical Center for this achievement award, which reflects a significant institutional commitment to the highest quality of care for their heart attack patients,” said James G. Jollis, MD, Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Advisory Working Group and President of the North Carolina Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. “Achieving this award means the hospital has met specific reporting and achievement measures for the treatment of their patients who suffer heart attacks and we applaud them for their commitment to quality and timely care.”
Tri-City Medical Center earned the Gold-Plus award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for the quick and appropriate treatment of STEMI patients by providing emergency procedures to re-establish blood flow to blocked arteries when needed.

About Tri-City Medical Center

Tri-City Medical Center has served its community for over 50 years and is full service, acute-care hospital in Oceanside, Calif. with a primary care clinic and over 500 physicians practicing in 60 specialties. Its Gold Seal of Approval^® from the Joint Commission recognizes its commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community it serves. It operates the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in North County as well as an Orthopaedic & Spine Institute, Cardiovascular Health Institute and a Neurological Institute along with the Tri-City Wellness Center in Carlsbad, Calif., recognized as one of the best wellness centers in San Diego County. It also specializes in women’s health, robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Selected from over 5,700 hospitals, Tri-City Medical Center has been recognized as an innovator in medical treatments, research, technology and care delivery as well as an anchor of health in the country.
For more information about Tri-City Medical Center and Tri-City Healthcare District, please visit www.tricitymed.org.