Lafayette Regional Health Center-part of HCA Midwest Health, the Kansas City region's leading healthcare provider-has been designated by Missouri as one of 55 STEMI (ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction) Centers, the newest component of the Time Critical Diagnosis (TCD) System, throughout the state. The TCD STEMI designation is designed to help first responders quickly identify hospitals best equipped to treat STEMI patients. Lafayette Regional Health Center has achieved the Level III STEMI Center, meaning the hospital offers regional access to the TCD system and refers to a higher level of specialized care if needed.

A STEMI is one type of heart attack that is a potentially lethal condition for which specific therapies, administered rapidly, reduce mortality and disability. The TCD System is a statewide system that brings together the 911 response system, ambulance services and hospitals in a coordinated way to provide patients the right care, at the right place, in the right amount of time. With the designated STEMI Centers in place, individuals suffering a STEMI will receive quicker response times and improved survival and recovery rates.

"Minutes matter during an emergency," says Dr. Randall Williams, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. "Having this coordinated approach through the STEMI Centers will help a greater number of people survive and recover from trauma, stroke and heart attack."

"The TCD Designation is testament to the talent and dedication of Lafayette Regional Health Center's Emergency Department to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients and their families," says Darrel Box, chief executive officer, Lafayette Regional Health Center. "We're proud to deliver world-class technology and resources right at the patient's bedside within minutes to help save lives. Patients can trust us for quality, coordinated life-saving care."

In addition to Lafayette Regional Health Center, the other HCA Midwest Health hospitals with the TCD Designation are: Centerpoint Medical Center and Lee's Summit Medical Center Level II STEMI Center Designation and Research Medical Center Level I STEMI Center Designation,

In 2015, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced similar TCD designations for stroke care. Lafayette Regional Health Center is recognized as a Level III TCD Stroke Center, providing definitive care to high volumes of stroke patients within the region.

Find more information on the Missouri Time Critical Diagnosis System.

For more information about Lafayette Regional Health Center and its robust family of services, visit Lafayette Regional Health Center.