FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Henrietta, NY, May 7, 2015 — CHS Healthcare has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
CHS Healthcare is the only ambulance service in Central and Western New York to receive the Gold level award distinction.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience a STEMI, or ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, a type of heart attack caused by a complete 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 surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication.
Unfortunately, a significant number don’t receive prompt reperfusion therapy, which is critical in restoring blood flow. Mission: Lifeline seeks to save lives by closing the gaps that separate STEMI patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes those EMS Agencies for their efforts in improving STEMI systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients.
Paramedics and EMTs are vital to the success of Mission: Lifeline. Paramedics provide access to 12-lead ECG machines (devices that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat and can help medical personnel determine if a heart attack has occurred), and follow protocols derived from American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines. The correct tools and training allow Paramedics to rapidly identify the STEMI, promptly notify the receiving hospital, and trigger an early response from the awaiting doctors at the receiving hospital.
Agencies that receive the Mission: Lifeline Gold award have demonstrated at least 75 percent compliance for each required achievement measure for two consecutive years and have treated at least eight STEMI patients for each of those years.
“Paramedics and EMTs 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 CHS Healthcare for achieving this award that shows it meets evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of people who have severe heart attacks.”
“CHS Healthcare is dedicated to making our agency among the best in the country, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that by implementing processes for improving STEMI systems of care with the goal of improving the quality of care for all STEMI patients,” said Chris Murtaugh, Public Information Officer. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for STEMI patients.”
PRESS CONFERENCE / MEDIA ADVISORY:
The award will be presented by the American Heart Association at a press conference to be held Monday May 18, 2015 at 10:30am. All local media are invited to attend. 280 Calkins Road, Rochester NY 14623.
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