On June 7, the Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department was awarded the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Bronze Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
With more than 250,000 people experiencing what is called a STEMI – an elevation of the heart process that involves death of heart muscle – rescue squads are able to identify the blockage of blood flow to the heart and with rapid transport, alert the receiving hospital to prompt timely dispensing of clot-busting, life-saving medication, according to a news release issued by the department.
“Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department prides itself in performing a 12-lead ECG on our patients recognizing the signs of impending heart muscle death and beginning the process to prevent the severe consequences of this situation,” the release said “We contact the hospital to alert them, provide the medications our paramedic care level have and race the clock to see that the hospital is able to administer the clot-busting medications they have as soon as possible.
“Because the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is in existence, we are proud to earn this recognition for the second year in a row but, more importantly, we are thankful for the effect this brings about – specifically treating people who are having major heart attacks and keeping them from dying.”
Officials with the Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department said its members are dedicated to making the service among the best in Southeast Wisconsin.
“We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for all cardiac patients,” the release concludes.
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