Gold Cross Ambulance in Washington and Iron Counties has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience a STEMI, or ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. It is the deadliest type of heart attack and is caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to the heart. To prevent death, it’s critical to immediately restore blood flow, either by surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication. The AHA’s Mission: Lifeline program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 9-1-1 call and continuing through hospital treatment.
Gold Cross Ambulance paramedics perform 12-lead ECGs, which measure the electrical activity of the heart and can help determine if a heart attack has occurred. They also follow protocols derived from American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines. These correct tools, training, and practices allow EMS providers to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center, and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.
“We are dedicated to making our paramedic services among the best in the country, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that by implementing processes for improving systems of care,” said Mike Moffitt, President of Gold Cross Services. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for all cardiac patients in Washington and Iron Counties.”
Gold Cross Ambulance has been a leader in Emergency Medical Services in Utah for over five decades. Gold Cross Ambulance specializes in basic life support, paramedic, critical care, neonatal, and non-emergency transportation services. Gold Cross works closely with local, state, and federal agencies to assure quality care and access to emergency services for all citizens of Utah. Visit: www.goldcrossambulance.com.
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.
