UMC EMS received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) the deadliest 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.
The Mission: Lifeline initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.
“In the event of a heart attack, every moment is vital,” said Thomas Moore, Director of UMC Emergency Medical Services, “so we work diligently to ensure that our team is trained and prepared to immediately recognize and treat patients that present with signs and symptoms of cardiac emergencies. “We also partner with Lubbock Fire Rescue and area hospitals to ensure that every step of the transfer process is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Way to go UMC EMS!