Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 4

ASM Aetna Paramedics operate LifePak 15 cardiac-monitors

MANCHESTER — On May 17, 2012, ASM Paramedic Supervisor Robert O’Neil wirelessly transmitted a 12-lead EKG to Hartford Hospital in order to precipitate a field activation of the cardiac catheterization lab.

The transmission, which flows through a purpose-specific modem stored externally on the LifePak 15 cardiac monitor, draws the attention of the ED physician, interventionalist and cardiologist and most often results in the patient being conveyed from the field directly into the care of the cardiac staff in the cath lab.

This particular patient was in cardiogenic shock as partially manifested by bradycardia.

The following is excerpted from an email from Dr. Marcin Dada, Associate Director of the Chest Pain Center, Hartford Hospital:  Continue reading

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 3

Kudos from the Cath Lab

Kudos from the Cath Lab

(Content that follows is excerpted from an email from the Hartford Hospital cardiac team…)

Great job everyone.

I though you would like to know that today’s STEMI times were as follows:

Door to Balloon Time – 36 minutes

EMS to Balloon time – 69 minutes

The system-organized response was initiated in the field (town withheld) where the pre-hospital ECG was transmitted by AETNA Ambulance to the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department and then forwarded to the Cath Lab (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory). Many should be congratulated, in particular:

  1. Drs. McKay and Almahasnen and the Cath Lab team (A. Almeida, R. Fisher, E. Letoutneau)
  2. Drs. Smally, Sullivan and the ED team (C. Urso, A. Mugovero)
  3. Last but not least, the AETNA Paramedics Ashley Harkins and Preston Ryzak for timely ECG interpretation and transmission. Continue reading

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 2

Kudos from the Cath Lab

Kudos from the Cath Lab

Email from Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center:

“Greg D. [ASM Paramedic #438] and the crews did a great job with this STEMI patient yesterday. Patient did very well and is fortunate to have been transported to a STEMI center. Nice work for the crew working with the patient to make an informed decision. Cath showed 99% RCA Lesion which was opened and stented.” Continue reading

Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 1

ASM Aetna Paramedics operate LifePak 15 cardiac-monitors
ASM and Aetna Paramedics operate LifePak-15 cardiac monitors

(Content that follows is excerpted from an email from the Hartford Hospital cardiac team…)

STRONG team work.

Kudos continue – to the Cath Lab/ED/EMS team. This patient was brought by ASM who transmitted ECG and activated the team pre-hospitaly (STEMI). The patient was taken straight to the Cath Lab after a quick triage in the emergency department (without any STOP at the [critical care pod]). Continue reading