You At Your Best

14 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST FEBRUARY - THE HEART ISSUE | SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018 SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE To prevent damage from a heart attack, it's important to start at the beginning. According to the American College of Cardiology, 85 percent of heart damage occurs within the first two hours of a heart attack, when symptoms may be very subtle. "Heart attacks have beginnings. It is important to learn the early signs of heart attack and seek treatment immediately by calling 911," says Heather Beauford, RN, Washington Regional Chest Pain Center Coordinator. "Most people recognize severe chest tightness or left-arm pain as heart attack symptoms, but there are also some subtle early signs of an impending heart attack," says Beauford, who is leading an outreach program at Washington Regional to educate the community about Early Heart Attack Care, or EHAC. Beauford and other Washington Regional staff members are promoting the recognition of early symptoms and signs that a heart attack is about to occur. These include: • Nausea • Feeling of fullness • Shortness of breath • Back pain • Chest pressure, squeezing or discomfort • Anxiety • Fatigue • Jaw pain • Pain that travels down one or both arms • Mild chest pressure, burning, aching or tightness - symptoms that may come and go until finally becoming constant and severe "For about half of people experiencing these symptoms, the heart attack can actually be prevented with early treatment," Beauford points out. The EHAC education program encourages the public to take action, not only for themselves, but also for others. "If you or anyone around you is experiencing early heart attack symptoms, call 911 right away," Beauford advises. "Driving yourself to the hospital when having these symptoms is not only dangerous for you, but can be dangerous for others and could possibly result in an auto accident, or worse." Plus, she explains, emergency medical services providers are equipped with knowledge and technology that can ensure the most timely treatment for a heart attack patient. "By communicating directly with EMS personnel and having important tests performed during transport to the hospital, Washington Regional has been able to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to get treatment started. Time saved is heart muscle saved," she says. "As an accredited chest pain center, Washington Regional ensures that patients who arrive at the hospital complaining of chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack receive the treatment necessary during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart muscle can be preserved," Beauford says. Washington Regional has been an accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) since 2010, but in 2016 became the first hospital in Arkansas to receive full accreditation from the ACC as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation. Achieving the Resuscitation designation places the hospital among a select group of only 30 hospitals nationwide. Chest Pain Centers with Primary PCI and Resuscitation have demonstrated that they are prepared with the equipment and staff required to perform emergency angioplasty, a lifesaving intervention performed during a heart attack in which a stent is inserted into an artery to increase blood flow to the heart. According to the ACC, with these accreditations Washington Regional has demonstrated its expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria and undergoing an onsite review by a team of accreditation review specialists. Know when to call 911: Early heart attack care can prevent heart damage Heather Beauford Stewart named Director of Case Management and Social Services SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE John Stewart recently was named Director of Case Management and Social Services for Washington Regional. He and his team coordinate patients' medical needs to keep them healthy in and out of the hospital. Stewart previously was Washington Regional's Care Navigator for Population Management as well as Manager of Case Management and Social Services. Stewart graduated from the nursing program at North Arkansas Community College and also earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He currently is pursuing a Master of Science in nursing through Grand Canyon University. Before joining Washington Regional in 2010, Stewart retired from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission after 20 years of service. Roundtree named Director of Surgical Services SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE James Roundtree has been named Director of Surgical Services at Washington Regional Medical Center. Roundtree, who previously was Clinical Director of Surgical Services, now has oversight of all matters related to surgical patient care and safety. He earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and achieved designation as a certified nurse — operating room. His experience — which encompasses vascular surgery, urology, robotics and kidney transplants — includes surgery leadership roles at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Bedford, Texas, Sparks Health System in Fort Smith, St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, and Oklahoma University Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Roundtree also serves as a Captain in the United States Army Nurse Corps. Davis named Director of Home Health SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Sheryl Davis has been named Director of Home Health at Washington Regional. She provides direction and support for a team of healthcare professionals, including registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and medical social workers. Davis has been with Washington Regional for 29 years and previously was Administrative Director of Surgical Services. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Henderson State University and a master's degree in nursing from the University of Arkansas. She achieved designations as a certified nurse — operating room, certified critical care registered nurse and clinical nurse specialist — board- certified. She is a member of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and the American Association of Peri-Operative Nurses. In 2014, Davis was the first recipient of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Outstanding Alumnus Award presented by the University of Arkansas.

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