Stratford EMS receives AHA Mission Lifeline Gold Plus Recognition Award

 

STRATFORD, CT, August 24, 2021 — Stratford EMS (SEMS) has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award for the second year in a row for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. The “Gold Plus” award is Mission Lifelines highest level of recognition for EMS.

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.

The Mission: Lifeline initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.

Each year, Stratford’s Emergency Medical Service responds to more than 600 (8%) “heart attack” calls per year.  To meet this need, Stratford’s EMS System is designed from the start of the call to find and provide high quality cardiac care.  Stratford is a HEARTSafe designated community.  Our 9-1-1 Dispatchers use the Medical Priority Dispatch System in our Public Safety Dispatch center to process these calls.  First Responders from Stratford Fire are dispatched with SEMS and are equipped with AED and aspirin.  SEMS EMT’s and Paramedics are highly trained in advanced cardiac care and are capable of obtaining a 12-lead EKG on scene and administering life saving medications.  SEMS Paramedics alert the hospital while still on scene so that when they arrive at the ED with the patient, the cardiac catheterization team is waiting for them.  This creates a fast and efficient response system that saves lives.  It really is a system / team effort.

“We are proud to be recognized again for our work in this important area of emergency care.  Stratford EMS staff have worked so hard, particularly during this pandemic, to ensure Stratford residents are always provided high quality emergency cardiac care ” said Michael Loiz, Director of EMS. “We are so pleased to continue to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical cardiac care through Mission: Lifeline.” 

“This Mission: Lifeline recognition is yet another example to the superior performance of our EMS Department. said Larry Ciccarelli, Public Safety Director, EMD. I applaud all of our EMS staff who work so hard to ensure our residents receive the very best emergency medical care.”

“I am very proud of our EMS professionals and volunteers, and this award adds another distinction in the long line of accolades that our amazing team at EMS routinely bring home,” said Mayor Laura R. Hoydick.  “Stratford’s EMS has been one of our stellar frontline agencies in the battle against COVID-19, and all the while they have still needed to maintain focus on all of the other emergency medical needs of the community without interruption.  I congratulate our EMS team on this award, and thank them for their continued excellence in the service of Stratford’s residents.”

 

EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks. Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient. We applaud Stratford EMS for achieving this award in following evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of people who have severe heart attacks.

Mission Lifeline EMS

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About Stratford EMS

The Stratford Emergency Medical Service is the basic and advanced life support ambulance / EMS provider for the Town of Stratford.  Established in 1977, our mission is provide quality patient care and safe emergency transportation to the sick and injured.  SEMS operates with both paid and volunteer members, EMR through Paramedic level care and offers a fleet of six ambulances and three paramedic intercept vehicles. For more information, visit www.stratfordems.org

About Mission: Lifeline

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for acute coronary syndrome patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology clinical treatment guidelines.  For more information, visit heart.org.