KentuckyOne Health Donation Helps First Responders Save Lives in Nelson County - Archived
KentuckyOne Health Donation Helps First Responders Save Lives in Nelson County
Bardstown, Ky. (October 29, 2014)—When someone is experiencing a heart attack, emergency medical responders are often the first line of care. Having the latest technology can make the difference between life and death. On October 28, KentuckyOne Health officials presented new technological equipment to Nelson County EMS, which will help to ensure that patients who may be suffering a heart attack get the care they need more quickly.
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. The six new modems for Nelson County EMS, is a technology previously not employed in the area.
“This technology ensures that the patients we serve are getting the treatment they need as fast as possible,” said Sue Downs, president, Flaget Memorial Hospital, part of KentuckyOne Health. “Providing access to care to the communities we services is our mission.”
“We have been working on this project for four years, but could not find the funds to pay for the new technology, said Eva Prewitt, Nelson County EMS representative. “We appreciate KentuckyOne Health stepping in to help us and helping to move Nelson County EMS into the future. The donation means quicker care for patients. We are lucky to have KentuckyOne Health and Flaget Memorial Hospital in our community.”
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.
In total, KentuckyOne Health will donate equipment valued at $33,500 to four area EMS providers. In addition to Nelson County, Bullitt County, Breckinridge 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:
Norma Goss, RN, Flaget Chief Nursing Officer
Kelley Broyles, RN, Flaget ER Director
Joey Spalding, Nelson County EMS
Eva Prewitt, Nelson County EMS
Sue Downs, MSN, Flaget President
Barry Papania, KentuckyOne Director of Business Development
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 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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Publish date:
Friday, October 31, 2014