Saint Joseph London Donation Helps First Responders Save Lives in Laurel County - Archived

Saint Joseph London Donation Helps First Responders Save Lives in Laurel County

The modems 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 heart attack, especially one with elevated ST levels—a pattern on an EKG reading that indicates a total blockage. 

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 muscle 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, cardiac catheterization 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.

“Each year the Saint Joseph London Foundation Board is asked to consider funding many worthwhile projects that support the mission of our hospital. We approved this life saving request because of the tremendous impact it will have on our patient's and families throughout the Laurel County area,” said Wayne Sturgeon, board chair, Saint Joseph London Foundation. “When minutes count these modems will provide EKGS to our emergency department. The foundation is grateful for the generosity of our donors who truly believe in helping us provide wellness healing and hope to all who rely on us.”

“This new technology will replace outdated equipment that is no longer functioning due to signal upgrades in our area,” said James Hacker, CEO, Ambulance, Inc. of Laurel County. “We are grateful to Saint Joseph London and donors to the Saint Joseph London Foundation for providing this valuable tool for our emergency responders.  This technology will no doubt help them to save more lives.”

In addition to the gift in Laurel County, KentuckyOne Health has donated $44,500 to four other Kentucky EMS providers in Nelson, Breckinridge, Montgomery and Bullitt counties for the purchase of the new modems. These digital modems will bring a valuable update to the services provided in these areas.  

About Saint Joseph London Foundation
The Saint Joseph London Foundation, part of KentuckyOne Health, raises and administers funds to support the core values and mission of Saint Joseph London.  One of the Foundation’s goals is to bridge the gap between medicine and compassion.  The Foundation is always looking for ways to assist those in need and is funded solely by the generous contributions. For more information, please call 859.313.1705 or www.saintjosephfoundation.org.

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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