City of Allentown EMS is a recipient of the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award for treatment and care of patients suffering severe heart attacks.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the most deadly type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.
Unfortunately, a significant number of STEMI patients don’t receive this prompt reperfusion therapy, which is critical in restoring blood flow. Mission: Lifeline seeks to save lives by closing the gaps that separate these patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services like Allentown EMS for their efforts in improving systems of care and outcomes for these patients.
“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said James Jollis, M.D., Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Advisory Working Group. “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.”
“Allentown EMS responds to some 14,000 calls for service per year,” said Allentown EMS Operations Manager Eric Gratz. “We are well-trained to provide the highest quality service possible. We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for all cardiac patients. I know I speak for my staff of more than 50 full-time and part-time paramedics that we are extremely honored to be receiving a 2015 American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Award.”
Emergency Medical System providers are vital to the success of Mission: Lifeline. EMS agencies perform 12-lead ECGs which measure the electrical activity of the heart and can help determine if a heart attack has occurred. They also follow protocols derived from American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines. These correct tools, training, and practices allow EMS providers to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center, and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.
Agencies that receive the Mission: Lifeline Gold award have demonstrated at least 75 percent compliance for each required achievement measure for two years.
Allentown EMS received a Silver Performance Achievement Award for 2014.
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.
Information provided by:
Mike Moore
Communications Manager
Mayor’s Office
435 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Mike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
http://www.AllentownPA.gov
