New EMS Cardiac Treatment In Duluth-Superior Region Is Getting Patients To Treatment More Quickly

Thursday, July 08, 2010

WHAT: Patients experiencing a heart attack who require invasive treatment in the Duluth-Superior region are now getting the lifesaving care they need more quickly. Thanks to a new medical protocol implemented cooperatively among Gold Cross, St. Luke's and SMDC Health System for patients who experience "S-T Elevation Myocardial Infarction" (STEMI), the time to definitive care has decreased. Gold Cross paramedics are now using cardiac monitor technology to obtain additional condition data on these patients and then calling that information in to awaiting medical teams at St. Luke's and SMDC hospitals in Duluth. The new protocol is shortening the time it takes before a patient undergoes a necessary procedure in the hospital's catheterization lab. Instead of relying on diagnosing the patient's problem in the hospitals' emergency departments, the need for this procedure is now being determined by paramedics prior to arriving at the hospital. Shortening the elapsed time from cardiac event to treatment helps reduce the damage to a patient's heart, lessens disabilities and reduces the patient's recovery time.

WHO: Gold Cross, St. Luke's and SMDC are holding an awareness event to highlight the program, showcase equipment, explain the role of medical teams and emphasize the need to call 911 as soon as symptoms of a heart attack are experienced. In attendance will be representatives from Gold Cross, St. Luke's and SMDC, all of whom are working with this special treatment protocol. Patients who have experienced the benefits of this new medical protocol will also be available for interview.

WHY: The Gold Cross STEMI protocol is significantly shortening the time between when paramedics are called for cardiac patients and when the patient receives definitive care. Results show the program is reducing this time by nearly 50 percent, compared to times experienced before the STEMI program was implemented in the Duluth-Superior region.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 14, 10 a.m. to noon.

WHERE: Gold Cross Ambulance, 4505 West Michigan Street, Duluth, Minn.

Editors' note: Staff from Gold Cross, St. Luke's, SMDC and patients who have been treated with this medical protocol will be available for interview.

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