Cape Girardeau, Mo. (September 16, 2021) — Southeast Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s 2021 Get With the Guidelines (GWTG) Heart Failure Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award, GWTG STEMI (a type of heart attack) Receiving Center Silver-Plus Award and GWTG Stroke Silver-Plus Award. In addition, the hospital is also recognized on the American Heart Association’s Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. and Target: Stroke Honor Roll.

The awards recognize Southeast for implementing quality improvement measures that ensure cardiovascular and stroke patients receive evidence-based, efficient and coordinated care, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer returns to the hospital.

Southeast earned these awards by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and stroke patients at a set level for calendar year 2020. Measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and aggressive risk-reduction therapies. Before discharge from the hospital, patients also receive education on managing their conditions and overall health.

Southeast Hospital also has been recognized by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in the “Best Hospitals” issue of U.S. News and World Report for its dedication to heart patients. Patients and caregivers can trust hospitals and health systems that participate in the ACC’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry and, based on stringent quality standards, receive the ACC’s recognition for delivering exceptional inpatient care.

 “Providing exceptional care to all those we serve is key to our mission,” said Ken Bateman, SoutheastHEALTH President and CEO. “Heart and stroke patients are among our most vulnerable and often have comorbidities such as Type 2 diabetes. Our goal with these patients is to help improve their quality of life and keep them out of the hospital. We are honored that the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, through these recognitions, has validated that commitment.”

“We are pleased to recognize Southeast Hospital for their commitment to heart and stroke care,” added Clyde W. Yancy, MD, national chairperson of the American Heart Association’s Heart Failure systems of care advisory group and chief, Division of Cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Hospitals that follow Get With The Guidelines protocols often see lower readmissions and lower mortality rats – a win for the healthcare systems, families and communities.”

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Many of these individuals  can lead a full, enjoyable life when their condition is managed using best-practice guidelines.

About SoutheastHEALTH

At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 13 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.

SoutheastHEALTH September 2021 Health Briefs

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

SoutheastHEALTH offers Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon. Vaccinations are by appointment only. To make your appointment, call 573-519-4522. Since late 2020, SoutheastHEALTH has administered over 34,000 COVID vaccinations.

Starting Point Informational Meeting

Time to make a change for the better in your life? Starting Point, a medically-managed weight loss program, can give you the tools to make it happen. Learn more at an informational meeting at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, or at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14. For more information, contact HealthPoint Nutrition Services at 573-986-4440.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in Perryville

There will be Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, at the Perry Park Center in Perryville, Mo. The vaccine is available to those ages 12 and up. Adolescents must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Appointments are required. To register, visit sehealth.org/COVID.

Weight Management First Steps

Join us for this free, informative seminar as we discuss strategies for beginning the process of health improvement and weight management on Monday, September 13, at 6 p.m., and Thursday, September 30, at 2 p.m., at HealthPoint Plaza, 2126 Independence in Cape. Are you just beginning your fitness journey? Or perhaps picking back up where you left off? Learn how nutrition, physical activity and behavior modification can help you get going in the right direction. Class size is limited. Register online at SEhealth.org/Events or by calling (573)986-4440.

Heart Saver CPR Certification Class

This is an instructor-led course that teaches adult and child CPR and AED use, infant CPR, and how to relieve choking in adults, children and infants. It will be held on Saturday, September 11, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape. This course teaches skills with the American Heart Association’s research-proven practice-while-watching technique, which allows instructors to observe the students, provide feedback, and guide the students’ learning skills. The course is for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card for CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory or other requirements. This class is not for healthcare providers seeking a BLS class. Cost of the class is $50 and includes a booklet. Participants can reserve a spot by calling or stopping by the front desk of HealthPoint Cape or HealthPoint Jackson. For more information, call 573-755-2301 or 573-986-4400.

Diabetes Self-Management Support Group

Southeast Diabetes Center hosts this free support group facilitated by Southeast’s Diabetes Educators. The programs are geared toward people who are living with diabetes and trying to control blood glucose. Friends and family members are also welcome. The meeting will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14, at HealthPoint Plaza in Cape. This month’s topic is “One Dish Meals – Quick and Nutritious.” On a busy night, a one dish meal can satisfy, provide a nutritious meal for the evening and make cleanup a breeze. Participants will learn more about meal planning tips, portion control and make ahead meals. Seating is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register, call the Southeast Diabetes Center at 339-0121 to take advantage of this program.

Grief Support Group: Your Grief Journey

The SoutheastHEALTH Grief Support Group will meet from 1:30-3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape. Topic for this month’s meeting, led by Julie Metgzer, LCSW, a bereavement counselor with Southeast Hospice, is “Who Am I Now?”  For more information about this support group, please call Southeast Hospice, 573-335-6208.

Bone Health Seminar 

Do you know that over 80 percent of all fractures in people ages 50 and over are caused by osteoporosis? Learn more about osteoporosis prevention, testing, diet and exercise options at a free Bone Health Seminar from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, at Drury Plaza Convention Center in Cape. Expert panelists are Charity Jacobs, MD, orthopedic surgeon, Southeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Jennifer Roth, bone health specialist, Southeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Laura Vollink, registered dietitian and nutrition fitness coordination at HealthPoint Fitness. To register, call 1-800-800-5123.

Healthy Cooking: Mystery Meat

 Join us on Monday, September 20, to learn more about the many plant based alternatives to meat. They can be a way to up the nutrition while replacing beef, chicken and pork in traditional recipes. Healthy Cooking classes at HealthPoint Fitness – Cape are taught by HealthPoint Nutritional Services Coordinator Laura Vollink, RD, LD. Cost is $5 for HealthPoint members and non-members. Class sizes are limited. To register, call 573-986-4440.

About SoutheastHEALTH

At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 14 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.

Welcome Crista Merriman, MSN, FNP-BC to SoutheastHEALTH Hospital and Southeast Convenient Care located at 2432 East Main Street, Jackson.

FNP Maryville University, 2019

BSN McKendree University, 2013