Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, 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.
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. 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. Its EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients.
Raritan Bay, a member of the Meridian Health family, has been recognized with the Gold Award after demonstrating at least 75 percent compliance for each required measure over a two year span. “We are happy to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for all cardiac patients,” said Director of Operations and MICU, Alert Ambulance Service, Inc. and Raritan Bay Medical Center Scott Powers, MBA, NRP. “The Mission: Lifeline program is helping us achieve our goal of making our services among the best in the country.”
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.
“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said James Jollis, M.D., chairman 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 Raritan Bay Medical Center for achieving this award that shows it meets evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of people who have severe heart attacks.”
For more information, visit www.rbmc.org. For a free physician referral, call 800-DOCTORS.