East Fork paramedics add new lifesaving equipment

The East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts recently began a program to provide advanced training for personnel on the use of four newly purchased cardiac 12 lead monitors/defibrillators. These monitors were purchased to aid paramedics with the treatment of patients who are exhibiting signs of a potential heart attack.

Nearly half a million Americans experience ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. One-third die within 24 hours of onset if not treated. With the use of the STEMI alert system paramedic and hospital studies have shown a 40 percent greater chance of acute coronary syndrome survival.

The system will aid paramedics in identifying a potential cardiac problem and allow them to wirelessly transmit electrical cardiogram data to the hospital.

Once the data is transmitted, an emergency room physician can analyze it and alert the appropriate emergency room personnel at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center and their cardiac catheterization laboratory before the paramedics arrive at the emergency room door.

Reducing the amount of time from hospital arrival to angioplasty can make a huge impact on a patient's long-term survival. The paramedics call this "Emergency Medical Services - 2 - Balloon," which is a national guideline developed by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, which recommends door-to-balloon time of 90 minutes or less. This technology will streamline the diagnosis in the emergency room and reduce false-positive catheterization lab activations.

Retired Emergency Medical Services Deputy Chief Bobby Wartgow took a leading role in bringing this new technology to Carson Valley. Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center and David Tillitt M.D., Chairman of Emergency Services was also credited by the fire districts for his help.

This new program will be monitored by Medical Director Dr. Craig Berger, who is on the East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts' Emergency Medical Services Clinical Committee.