CCH EMS achieves Mission: Lifeline® EMS Bronze Level Recognition Award

Posted On: May 14, 2015
Written By: Felicia Messimer

Congratulations to the Campbell County Health Emergency Medical Services on achieving the 2015 American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline^® EMS Bronze Level Recognition Award for implementing improved measures for treating patients who experience severe heart attacks. This award is based upon the achievements as identified through the department's care delivered in 2014.

Every year, more than 250,000 people experience a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 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, which is done by surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication. Tragically, a significant number of patients don’t receive treatment quickly. Mission:Lifeline's goal is to save lives by closing the gaps that separate STEMI patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. The EMS recognition program recognizes emergency responders for their efforts in improving STEMI systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients.

All CCH ambulances are equipped with 12 Lead EKG machines that remotely send test results to doctors in the Emergency Department. Those doctors can determine if a patient has indeed suffered a heart attack and can send the test results to a Cardiologist. Utilizing this technology saves precious time and heart tissue by activating the Cardiologist and Cath lab team while the patient is still in the ambulance. The Ambulance team can then bring the patient directly to the Cardiac Cath Lab. With this collaboration between EMS and Cath lab, we at CCH have been able to open a patients artery in 23 minutes!

Agencies that receive the Mission: Lifeline Bronze award have demonstrated at least 75 percent compliance for the following:

Percentage of patients with non-traumatic chest pain over 35, treated and transported by EMS who receive a pre-hospital 12 Lead ECG.
Percentage of STEMI patients transported to a STEMI Receiving Center in less than 90 Minutes.
Percentage of STEMI patients transported to a STEMI Referring Center with Arrival to Fibrinolytic Therapy administration in less than 30 Minutes.

The American College of Cardiology recommends less than 90 minutes in door-to-balloon time – the time from when a patient arrives at the Emergency Department to the time a balloon is inflated in the blocked vessel. CCH's average door-to-balloon time is 54.5 minutes.

Congratulations! Thank you for providing the best care for Campbell County Health patients in their time of greatest need.