O’Fallon EMS Receives the AHA’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Bronze Award

O’Fallon, Illinois – The O’Fallon EMS Department recently received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Bronze Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.

“O’Fallon’s EMS Department is already one of the best in the country and they continue to get better,” said Mayor Herb Roach. “I am extremely excited for all of our EMS employees, and for the City of O’Fallon. It is great for the EMS Department to be recognized for their achievements in emergency medical care for all cardiac patients.”

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 twelve-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 Bronze Award have demonstrated at least 75 percent compliance for each required achievement measure for a minimum of one quarter.

“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said James Jollis, M.D., Chair 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 O-Fallon-Shiloh EMS for achieving this award that shows it meets evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of people who have severe heart attacks.”

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Matt Wiederholt at 618-624-4516 or email at [email protected].