Williamson Health

Earns Two Awards From American Heart Association

Williamson Health, the regional healthcare system serving Williamson County and surrounding communities, recently received two awards from the American Heart Association (AHA) as part of its Get WithThe Guidelines® program.

This national initiative encourages hospitals to consistently apply the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines for patients with heart disease and stroke. Williamson Health’s expert cardiologists work in a state-of-the-art Primary Heart Attack Center to rapidly assess, diagnose and treat patients experiencing heart attacks.

“Time is muscle in heart care,” said Ricky Yates, Williamson Health Chief Nursing Officer. “These awards confirm that Williamson Health is committed to meeting high standards and is a trusted place for you and your family to receive high-quality heart care.”

The first award, Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes, is given to hospitals that maintain an achievement score of 85% or higher for eight consecutive quarters for properly managing “NSTEMI” cases in patients with type 2 diabetes.

An NSTEMI heart attack, or Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, is a serious condition caused by a partial arterial blockage that can greatly reduce blood flow to the heart. Williamson Health was previously recognized at the Silver level in 2024.

The second award, Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Silver Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes, is given to hospitals that maintain an achievement score of 75% or higher for one calendar year for properly managing “STEMI” cases in patients with type 2 diabetes. The “Plus” denotes a higher level of compliance with certain measures. Receiving hospitals like Williamson Medical Center cover all STEMI patients, both diabetic and non-diabetic.

A STEMI heart attack, or ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, is the most severe, where an artery is completely blocked and restricts oxygen to the heart. Williamson Health received this recognition for reducing door-to-door electrocardiogram (EKG) times to under 10 minutes. A faster EKG time benefits patients because doctors can diagnose a problem sooner and start life-saving treatment faster.

People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk for heart disease because the disease can damage blood vessels over time. Too much blood glucose, or blood sugar, can stiffen blood vessels. These vessels can also fill with plaque, which leads to blockages in blood flow to a person’s heart or brain, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

The criteria for the Get with the Guidelines® program is based on standards set by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC). To learn more about the program, visit heart.org and search for Get With The Guidelines.