HOSPITAL STEMI Centers
After a collaborative stakeholder workgroup and best practice research, LERN’s development of a statewide system of care is based on guidelines established by the American Heart Association’s Mission Lifeline and successful systems across the country. This includes delineating hospital capabilities so that people experiencing STEMI symptoms are identified and transported to destination that provide appropriate STEMI Care.
In 2025, the LERN Board directed the development of a framework to incorporate Cardiogenic Shock into Louisiana’s existing STEMI System of Care. During this process, we updated the existing requirements for STEMI Receiving Centers and STEMI Referral Centers. These changes strengthen the statewide system of care, support regional collaboration, and ensure patients have timely access to the appropriate cardiac level of care and resources. The framework is consistent with national recommendations supporting tiered, collaborative systems of care for complex cardiac emergencies. In October 2026, Louisiana hospitals were asked to complete an attestation form to describe their Cardiac level of care (Cardiogenic Shock Center, STEMI Receiving or STEMI Referral Center). Cardiogenic Shock Centers are required to obtain certification by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) or by The Joint Commission (TJC). In addition to external certification, Cardiogenic Shock Centers must have Impella 5.5 or VA ECMO. The Cardiogenic Shock system will be implemented in January 2027.