10 West Virginia EMS/Fire Agencies receive the 2017 American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Recognition Award
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Posted: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 1:52 PM
Ten EMS Agencies in West Virginia are receiving the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline® EMS Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. A total of 627 EMS agencies in the US are receiving the award this year.
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.
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 for their efforts in improving systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients.
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 award have demonstrated at least 75 percent compliance for each required achievement measures. The achievement measures are:
- Percentage of patients with non-traumatic chest pain ≥ 35 years, treated and transported by EMS who received a pre--hospital 12--lead electrocardiogram
- Percentage of STEMI patients treated and transported directly to an STEMI receiving center, with prehospital first medical contact to device time ≤90 minutes
- Percentage of lytic eligible STEMI patients treated and transported to an STEMI referring hospital for fibrinolytic therapy with a door--to-needle time ≤30 minutes
- NEW PLUS MEASURE (Optional): Percentage of 12 lead ECGs performed on patients in the field with an initial complaint of non-traumatic chest pain ≥ 35 years, within 10 minutes of EMS arrival to the patient.
The award levels and volune requirements for each level award include:
Bronze: A minimum of 75% compliance for each required measure. Volume: at least 2 STEMI patients per reporting quarter with at least 4 STEMI patients in the 2016 calendar year.
Silver: Aggregated annual score achieving a minimum of 75% compliance for each required measure. Volume: at least 8 STEMI patients in the 2016 calendar year.
Gold: 2 consecutive calendar years achieving criteria for a Silver Award
To achieve a Bronze Plus, Silver Plus, or Gold Plus award, an agency must have met the threshold for the respective award AND must report on and achieve at least 75% compliance on Plus Measure.
Agencies in WV awarded include:
- Cabell County EMS and City of Martinsburg Fire Department - Gold Plus level award
- Wheeling Fire Department - Silver Plus
- Morgan County EMS, Mon EMS, and Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority - Silver
- Marion County Rescue Squad, Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority, Harrison County EMS - Bronze
- Putnam County EMS (Team Application) -- Bronze
Today were celebrating lives saved because of the hard work and dedication of these agencies and the communities served by each of them should be very proud of their prehospital care professionals.
For their accomplishment, the American Heart Association will recognize these agencies throughout the year at professional meetings, in professional journals including EMS World Magazine and on the AHA website.
We congratulate you all on your accomplishment!
About Mission: Lifeline
The American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline® program helps hospitals and emergency
medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for acute coronary syndrome patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology clinical treatment guidelines. For more information, visit heart.org.