Three of Acadian Ambulance’s service areas have received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline®EMS Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
Acadian’s Southwest Louisiana and Jackson County, Mississippi, service areas achieved the Bronze Plus recognition. This recognition signifies transporting at least 4 ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients directly to a STEMI receiving center and/or referring hospital and achieving at least 75% adherence over 90 days on all Mission: Lifeline EMS quality measures. To earn the Plus measure, the service areas achieved at least 75% on the percentage of adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients resuscitated on scene lasting at least 20 minutes prior to arrival at the emergency department, where a 12-lead ECG was performed.
Acadian’s Central Texas region received the Silver Plus recognition. Agencies earn Silver recognition with a minimum patient volume of at least 8 STEMI patients transported directly to a STEMI receiving center and achieving 75% or higher adherence over 12 months on all Mission: Lifeline EMS quality measures. In addition to meeting those requirements, the service area achieved at least 75% on the percentage of adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients resuscitated on scene lasting at least 20 minutes prior to arrival at the emergency department, where a 12-lead ECG was performed.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience a STEMI type of heart attack – the deadliest type – 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.
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s® Mission: Lifeline program focuses on helping communities and regions form effective coalitions of hospitals, ambulance services, non-transport medical first response agencies, emergency communications centers, emergency medical service regulatory/medical direction agencies, local government, local media and payers.
“Acadian Ambulance is dedicated to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chuck Burnell. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care efforts through Mission: Lifeline.”
