Long time Houston resident Bob Joens went to bed like normal on May 12. During the very early morning hours, he woke up and he knew something was not right.

“I decided to eat something and then my tooth began hurting,” Joens, 80, said. “That’s when I realized I better wake up Mary, just in case I needed to go to the hospital.”

Mary, his wife, and Joens decided it was probably best to go to the hospital. Mary drove him to Texas County Memorial Hospital.

“Mary actually drove into the emergency room entrance going the wrong way that morning – probably because of the stress in the situation,” Joes said. “When we arrived, the TCMH staff were standing outside waiting for us.”

In these critical moments, the emergency room staff are trained to know exactly what to do and what steps to take next. The protocols in place established through the ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) designation that TCMH just received, turn these crucial moments for patients into lifesaving steps to preserve the heart muscles of patients until they can be transferred to larger facilities where interventional heart procedures can take place.

CHEST PAIN PROTOCOLS

As soon as Joens arrived at TCMH, staff initiated “chest pain protocols.” The protocols involved getting the patient in an exam room and hooked up to an electrocardiogram (EKG) in just four minutes.

An EKG either confirms or denies a heart attack. If confirmed, staff then initiate STEMI Protocols. A STEMI, more commonly known as a heart attack, can damage the heart and the body very quickly. Responding rapidly is key.

Jamal Zereik, MD, was working in the emergency department when Joens arrived that early morning and was able to confirm within just 10 minutes of his arrival to TCMH, that he had in fact experienced a STEMI.

“I remember Dr. Zereik telling me that I had just had a heart attack,” Joens said. “I remember telling him, ‘But I don’t feel any pain.’”

TCMH staff immediately prepared Joens for air transport to Cox Hospital in Springfield, which is a level one STEMI center that offers interventional care. Cox Hospital provided interventional care for Joens, and within just a few hours, Joens’ heart went from nearly complete restriction of blood flow to no restriction at all.

“The staff at Cox told me that whenever they get a patient from TCMH, they always know that they were taken care of well,” Joens said. “They told me that TCMH had done everything they were supposed to do and they had saved the staff a tremendous amount of precious time.”

MINIMAL HEART DAMAGE

Within a couple days of his massive heart attack, Joens headed home from Cox Hospital with only minimal damage to his heart.

As part of the recuperation process, Joens is now participating in cardiac rehabilitation at TCMH. Cardiac rehab allows for STEMI patients to slowly strengthen the heart muscle through exercise.

“I am so thankful that TCMH is here,” Joens said. “My story could have had a much different outcome.”

Joens and Mary lived in Houston when he worked as a forest ranger back in the 1970s. They came back to Houston 24 years ago to enjoy the retired life.

Joens’ idea of retirement is still working hard, but working hard at doing the things he loves. Joens and Mary have a Black Angus cattle farm right outside of Houston and he enjoys staying busy building fences, doing wood work projects, and getting involved with all types of construction projects too.

“Mr. Joens is a prime example of why we strive to meet rigorous standards and improve our care here at TCMH,” said Lauren Toman, STEMI medical coordinator. “It could have been anyone. This could have been a grandparent, a parent, a friend or a family member to anyone here. This is always personal for me, and that’s how we can offer the care we do to our patients.”

TCMH received its Level Four STEMI Designation from the state Department of Health and Senior Services on May 15 for their quick responses to their STEMI patients.

“We are so blessed to have a local hospital that is meeting state guidelines,” said Wes Murray, TCMH CEO. “Someday it might be me coming through those emergency room doors and I want to feel confident as a member of the community that TCMH is going to do everything right to take care of me. With the state standards that we are achieving and the goals we strive to meet each day, the community is extremely fortunate to have this hospital here.”

According to the American Heart Association, chest discomfort, discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach, shortness of breath, sweat, nausea, or lightheadness can all be signs of a heart attack. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms go to the nearest emergency room immediately or call 911.