Paris EMS Wins American Heart Association Award | News

Recognizing the efforts of Parisian paramedics to stabilize and treat on-site according to best practice, notify the receiving emergency room, and transfer in a timely manner, the American Heart Association awarded Lifeline EMS’ highest award, the Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Achievement Award, for its demonstrated dedication to ensuring best practice and access to critical care.

According to newspaper files, Paris EMS has been participating in the Mission: Lifeline program for several years, winning its first silver award in 2016 and the highest gold award in recent years.

“Perhaps the most important link in the chain of survival in acute stroke and cardiovascular emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals,” Edward Jauch, M.D., M.B.A., director of research at the University of North Carolina’s Mountain Area Health Center, said in a statement to reporters. “Early identification of symptoms, stabilization and prehospital intervention, and initiation of action within the local care system provide patients with the best chance of receiving adequate definitive therapy, leading to optimal outcomes and maximal quality of life.”

Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment as soon as they arrive — up to an hour earlier than driving to the hospital, Jauk said. Paramedics are also trained to resuscitate someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance can also get faster treatment in hospitals.

The Mission: Lifeline EMS Achievement Award focuses on institutional frontline care, bringing the collaboration and contribution of prehospital healthcare providers to the forefront of patient care.

“Paris EMS is honored to have been recognized by the American Heart Association for its dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients,” Dyce said.

“The Mission: Lifeline program uses proven knowledge and guidelines every day to ensure that our patients have the best possible chance of survival. This award is a testament to the dedication of our staff to ensuring that the residents of Paris and Lamarre receive the best possible care.”

Diess confirmed that paramedics in Paris are trained in both heart attack and stroke recognition. For stroke patients, stroke screening is performed and documented, and blood glucose assessments are checked. For a heart attack victim, a paramedic should perform her 12-lead ECG within 10 minutes, administer aspirin for a STEMI positive (partial elevation myocardial infarction), and notify the emergency department of the receiving hospital 10 minutes before arrival.

Mission: Lifeline EMS Accreditation is a program of the American Heart Association that accredits prehospital emergency services for heart attack and stroke patients. This certification program is focused on transforming the quality of care by connecting all components of heart attack and stroke care into a seamlessly integrated system of care. The key tenets of these systems of care reinforce evidence-based guidelines, measure performance, identify gaps, and work to improve quality.