For more information contact:
Kelly Barbeau,
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Marketing Specialist
618-234-2120, x1270
July 11, 2013
A Partnership with heart
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is now a member of
Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois’ Chest Pain Network
Belleville –St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, an accredited Chest Pain Center and an award-winning leader in
cardiac care, continues to improve its cardiovascular services by joining the Prairie Heart Institute of
Illinois’ (PHII) Chest Pain Network.
The benefit of a Chest Pain Network is a standardized approach to diagnosing and treating
chest pain and heart attacks throughout the region. Patients who are brought to St. Elizabeth’s
emergency department with a cardiac trauma or chest pain undergo rapid response treatment
including:
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immediate triage
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diagnostic testing and assessment to determine if an acute heart attack is occurring
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electrocardiogram (EKG) testing while en route for cardiac patients arriving by ambulance
“We are proud to be associated with Prairie Heart Institute and the renown and successful
cardiologists of Prairie Cardiovascular. This approach allows for immediate decision-making and
treatments to provide the best possible heart care and better outcomes for patients,” said Jennifer
Helbling, RN, Chest Pain Network Coordinator.
The Chest Pain Network relies on smaller, rural hospitals, local EMS, and emergency room
physicians working together to provide seamless transfers to St. Elizabeth’s.
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“Our ongoing goal is to ensure emergency responders and our sister facilities in Breese and
Highland are well-trained for chest pain emergencies so residents can be confident in the care they
will receive,” Helbling said.
The whole community benefits from having a Chest Pain Network established. For patients, it
provides a rapid determination, without fear or embarrassment, of the cause of chest pain using
Prairie Heart protocols. All possible treatment and follow-up care is provided locally so patients and
their families can be close to each other and coordinated with their personal physician. There is also
a streamlined process to transfer to a specialized facility, if necessary.
Helbling serves as an RN Liaison from the Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois to assist with all
coordinating education and implementation of protocols, and also provides community and
professional education at public events. She reminds the public to become aware of heart attack
warning signs:
 Pressure, burning, squeezing in the center of the chest
 Discomfort in one or both arms, shoulders neck, jaw, stomach or back
 Shortness of breath, fatigue, cold sweat, nausea, weak
 Feeling light headed
“I cannot stress how important it is for everyone to know these symptoms in order to identify
heart attack symptoms and signs. Be sure to call 9-1-1 immediately and do not drive yourself,”
Helbling says. She also encourages the patient or a loved one to take note of the time symptoms
started occurring. “When you choose St. Elizabeth’s Hospital you can be assured that a team of a
Prairie Cardiovascular cardiologist and our colleagues will be there to provide appropriate treatment
and diagnosis.”
The comprehensive services available to the region at St. Elizabeth’s also include a
continuum of care through diagnostic testing such as stress tests, electrocardiograms, and
diagnostic catheterization; emergency heart care; and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. Prairie
Heart comprehensive protocols that address all aspects of emergent cardiac care including STEMI,
nSTEMI, Observation and Inpatient care.
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About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System is a Roman Catholic health care mission founded to continue the healing
ministry of Jesus Christ. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS provides state-of-the-art
health care framed in traditional values taught by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. It is dedicated to serving
all people, including the poor and the needy, at each of its 13 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois
(Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, Springfield and Streator) and Wisconsin
(Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Sheboygan and two in Green Bay). For more information about HSHS, visit
www.hshs.org.
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