| February 1, 2009 |
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STEMI PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE |
STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY |
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Open House Highlights STEMI Technology
WAYNESBURG, PA- EMS Southwest, Southwest Regional Medical Center and the GCMH Foundation welcomed dignitaries, elected officials and community members at a gathering on February 26 to hear about a new county wide system that will change the way cardiac patients are diagnosed and treated. The STEMI (ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction) Management Program is a cutting-edge program, which equips EMS Southwest advanced life support ambulances to wirelessly transmit EKG’s to Southwest Regional Medical Center physicians before even leaving the patient’s home. The “ST” segment refers to the part of the EKG, which determines if a patient is having a heart attack.
“Through training and technology a Paramedic can now make all the difference in a STEMI patient’s outcome,” explained Rob Bowman, director of EMS Southwest.
After reviewing the EKG, the physician will direct the paramedic as to the best option for treatment. If a heart attack is suspected, plans will be made to facilitate the patient’s admission to an appropriate treatment facility for catheterization. This process greatly reduces the amount of time it takes for a heart attack patient to get appropriate care.
“With today’s announcement we unleash a powerful weapon to combat the #1 killer of Americans today, cardiovascular disease,” explained Mike Onusko, PreHosptial Coordinator for Southwest Regional Medical Center. “The PreHospital EKG is the “keystone” to making the diagnosis of a heart attack in the field.”
“I have been involved with other STEMI treatment programs and the way which Southwest Regional and EMS Southwest have cohesively established this system makes it much more effective than any I have ever experienced.” continued Dr. Scott Benson, MD, FACEP and medical director of the SRMC emergency department.
Greene County is one of the first rural counties in Pennsylvania to offer full coverage in its advance life support ambulances. This program was made possible by a collaboration of community members including EMS Southwest, Southwest Regional Medical Center, Representative Bill DeWeese and the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation.
“The Foundation is committed to successfully establishing this program for Greene County,” shared Dave Jones, executive director of the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation. “There are few investments that can yield a return of saved lives and safer communities. We are pleased to announce an additional $43,000 gift to HEADSUP, which in turn will ensure that all EMS Southwest ambulances have the technology available to provide this level of care.”
The announcement brings the total granted by the Foundation in support of the program to $93,000. Representative Bill DeWeese has also helped to secure $60,000 for the project.
“Regardless of where you live in Greene County, access to this level of care is now yours,” said Cindy Cowie, CEO of Southwest Regional Medical Center. “There are very few counties across the state and even the nation that can offer this peace of mind.”
Heart Health Overview
In the United States, heart attack is the leading cause of death among adults. Each year, more than five million Americans enter the hospital with chest pain. Of those, 1.25 million will be diagnosed with a heart attack and up to 600,000 may die of heart disease. For good outcomes, individuals must quickly recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and the physician must quickly make the diagnosis.
Although chest pain is one of the most common complaints of patients presenting to the emergency department, only 10 – 15 percent of patients with chest pain are having a heart attack. One of the goals of PreHospital STEMI Management System is to significantly reduce the time it takes for a patient experiencing a heart attack to receive appropriate treatment during the critical early stages, when treatments are most effective.
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