El Dorado News-Times
Thursday, May 21, at the Arkansas State Capitol, The ProMed Ambulance for El Dorado, received a National American Heart Association (AHA) Mission: Lifeline, EMS Silver Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. AHA officials presented the awards during the EMS Week Parade of Lights ceremony.
This award is given to Emergency Medical Services providers that are proficient in tasks that deal with treating individuals experiencing a STEMI, ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Treatment of this requires being proficient in ECG machines, devices that measure electrical activity of the heartbeat and for following rigid AHA protocols.
Of the more than 200 licensed EMS agencies in Arkansas, only 10 agencies met the stringent standards of the Mission: Lifeline program. ProMed was chosen because they exceeded the goals and has claimed the honor treating at least eight STEMI patients in a year and demonstrated at least 75% compliance for each required achievement measure.
“We applaud ProMed Ambulance for achieving this award that shows it meets evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of people who have severe heart attacks,” said Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the AHA and the American Stroke Association.
The AHA’s Mission: Lifeline program was established to help close the gap between heart attack victims experiencing the STEMI that blocks blood flow to the heart. The silver award they offer is the highest prize for an EMS agency to achieve. The EMT’s and paramedics are often the first responders to these incidences so it is vital they are trained in treating these cases while they are shuttled to the hospital.
“We are dedicating to making our company among the best in the country. The AHA’s Mission: Lifeline is helping us accomplish that. We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication for STEMI patients,” Ken Kelly, ProMed CEO expressed.
Kelley accepted the award on behalf of Randolph and Union County operations.