City of Allentown EMS is being recognized for “high-quality” STEMI, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction systems of care by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Allentown EMS is receiving a Silver Performance Achievement Award for 2014. Recognition goes to EMS agencies that met volume criteria (at least 4 STEMIs per year) and achieved a 75% or higher compliance score for each specific EMS quality measure.
These measures include:
• Percentage of patients with non-traumatic chest pain > 35 years of age, treated and transported by EMS who receives a pre-hospital 12 Lead ECG.
• Percentage of STEMI patients transported to a STEMI Receiving Center, with pre-hospital First Medical Contact (FMC) to Device (PCI) < 90 Minutes.
• Percentage of STEMI patients transported to a STEMI Referring Center with arrival to fibinolysis therapy administration < 30 minutes.
Allentown EMS met volume and recognition criteria for four quarters.
According to the AHA, in order to meet the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association STEMI guideline recommendation, “throughout Pennsylvania, “high-functioning” EMS agencies along with their hospital partners have successfully collaborated and implemented some of the basic components of an ideal STEMI system including; ongoing education on STEMI identification, providing access to 12 lead ECG machines, pre-activation of the cardiac catheterization laboratory team and data feedback loops.”
“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can shave precious minutes of life-saving treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals. We applaud Allentown EMS for achieving this award that shows it meets evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of people who have severe heart attacks.”
“We respond to an average of 14,000 calls for service per year,” said Allentown EMS Operations Manager Bryan Fritz. “We stay well-trained to provide the highest quality service possible. I know I speak for my staff of more than 50 full-time and part-time paramedics that we are honored to be receiving a 2015 American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline EMS Performance Achievement Award.”
The announcement comes as Allentown EMS joins its colleagues from across the country in celebrating National EMS Week May 17-23.
The American Heart Association will recognize award winning EMS agencies throughout the year at professional meetings, in professional journals including JEMS and on the AHA website.
--30--