Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the number one cause of death in the United States, and is the precursor to heart disease and heart attacks. Across the nation, every minute a person dies of an acute myocardial infarction, or heart attack. These facts support the Sutter Health effort to focus on the quality of care received by the AMI patient.

AMI Project Started in 2003

Sutter's Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) clinical quality improvement project started in 2003 to focus resources on achieving the highest level of quality and outcomes for the heart attack patient

In early 2003 a team of physicians and clinical staff from around the Sutter system came together to review the most recent literature on how to best treat patients with an AMI. The result of this effort is a set of tools which can help guide clinicians to provide the most appropriate and consistent care for their patients. The tools include items such as order sets, care management algorithms and patient education materials.

Focus on Early Care
The AMI project focuses on early acute management in the hospital, timely return of blood flow to the affected arteries in the heart, appropriate discharge medications and patient education about the disease and treatments as well as how to care for themselves when they return home.
In 2004 and beyond, Sutter Health hospitals will continue to work together to understand how to best manage and educate these patients. We are aiming to provide not just great quality of care but exceptional quality that leads to the best outcomes for patients.