KentuckyOne Health Donation helps First Responders Save Lives in Bullitt County - Archived

KentuckyOne Health Donation Helps First Responders Save Lives in Bullitt County   

The new equipment will attach to the LifePak EKG monitors that emergency medical technicians use in the field. These modems enable the transmission of data from a 12 lead EKG directly to any hospital that has a LifeNet monitor capable of receiving the information. This allows hospital emergency department  personnel to receive and review the data to determine if the patient is having a STEMI heart attack, one with elevated ST levels—a pattern on an EKG reading that indicates a total blockage.  While Bullitt County had similar technology before, the funding will allow for 10 upgraded modems.

“I am grateful to KentuckyOne Health for donating lifesaving equipment to our Bullitt County EMS,” said Bullitt County Judge Executive Melanie J. Roberts. “It is imperative in any community to have state-of-the-art medical equipment in order to serve our citizens.”

“It is such an honor to be given these modems and cases,” said Bridgett Etherton, deputy director, Bullitt County EMS. This donation will better equip EMS in the field to get STEMI patients the quick and effective help they need.  Time is life. If we did not have these upgraded items for our monitors, it may have meant the difference from minutes to hours in saving a life by quickly diagnosing a heart attack and getting the patient to the right place for the right care.  The new cases will make it easier for use in accessing our equipment quicker and transmit the information needed for the patient.”

While all heart attacks are serious, those considered STEMI, which involve a total artery blockage, are those requiring the quickest treatment. Because of the total blockage, STEMI heart attacks cause rapid loss of heart muscle that cannot be regenerated.  In these situations, time saved is heart saved. 

Advance transmission of an EKG indicating a STEMI heart attack automatically sets off a STEMI alert at the receiving hospital, alerting the emergency department, cath lab, cardiologist and emergency department physician on staff.  This allows patients to be taken directly to the cath lab so that physicians can clear the blockage sooner.

“This technology ensures that the patients we serve are getting the treatment they need as fast as possible,” said Rob Murphy, administrator, Medical Center Jewish South, part of KentuckyOne Health. “Fast access to the cath lab is vital to giving patients experiencing STEMI the best chance at life. Our mission is to provide access to care for the communities we serve.”

In total, KentuckyOne Health will donate equipment valued at $33,500 to four area EMS providers. In addition to Bullitt County, Breckinridge County, Nelson County, and Montgomery County will also receive new technological equipment. These digital modems will bring a valuable update to the services provided in these areas. 

Photo left to right:

Rob Murphy, administrator, Medical Center Jewish South; Barry Papania, director of Outreach, KentuckyOne Health; Carrie Dodson, ER director, Medical Center Jewish South; Bridgett Etherton, deputy director, Eric Cook and Callie McCarty, all from Bullitt County EMS; and Bullitt County Judge Executive Melanie J. Roberts.

About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health, the largest and most comprehensive health system in the Commonwealth, has more than 200 locations including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies in Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is dedicated to bringing wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved.  The system is made up of the former Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System, along with the the University of Louisville Hospital and  James Graham Brown Cancer Center. KentuckyOne Health is proud of and strengthened by its Catholic, Jewish and academic heritages.

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