Sunstar Paramedics recognized for improving quality of care for severe heart attack patients
Sunstar Paramedics recently received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline®EMS Gold Plus Level Recognition Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
Healthcare providers’ actions during the first several hours of a heart attack determine the patient’s level of benefit from intervention and treatment. Sunstar Paramedics was recognized for its efforts to improve the systems of care for patients with acute coronary syndrome, including both ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) heart attacks.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience STEMI heart attacks, the most deadly-form of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart. Patients with STEMI heart attacks require timely treatment for recovery, and EMS providers play a vital role in providing life-saving treatment.
Sunstar Paramedics worked to enhance collaboration with hospital providers and accelerate the decision-making process while treating high-risk patients, thereby enhancing the quality of care for STEMI heart attack patients.
“The Mission: Lifeline®award reflects Sunstar Paramedics’ commitment to excellence in patient care and meeting high standards of performance,” said John Peterson, chief operating officer for Sunstar Paramedics. “Our timely care helps increase survival and recovery for patients who experience heart attacks, which can help them return to their family, friends and workplaces.”
2019 Mission: LifelineEMS Gold Plus Level Award recipients were evaluated based on criteria relating to the care of STEMI heart attack patients. Award recipients demonstrated at least 75% compliance for each required achievement measure for two consecutive years, achieve a silver or gold award in the previous year, and provide treatment for eight or more STEMI heart attack patients in 2018.
Mission: Lifeline is a coordinated, proactive system of care that brings first responders, hospitals and other healthcare providers together as a team using proven guidelines and best practices to treat cardiac patients. The goal is to save lives by closing the gaps in STEMI heart attack patient care and providing innovative tools and measures to improve the speed and quality of care.
