Polk County Fire Rescue Earns Gold for Top Heart Attack Care!

Polk County, USA - In an impressive display of commitment and excellence, Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) has earned the American Heart Association’s coveted Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award. This accolade heralds the department’s dedication to providing outstanding prehospital care for patients experiencing severe heart attacks and strokes. The award signifies sustained excellence over multiple years, showcasing how PCFR has truly stepped up to the plate when it comes to patient care.

Fire Chief Shawn Smith expressed the significance of this recognition, noting that it reinforces the organization’s dedication to improving patient outcomes. In 2024 alone, PCFR responded to 1,048 STEMI and 1,489 stroke alerts, culminating in a remarkable total of 2,537 emergency calls. Such commitment doesn’t go unnoticed as it lays the groundwork for further advancements in emergency response.

Setting High Standards

To achieve this prestigious Gold Award, PCFR maintained a compliance rate of 75% or greater for crucial American Heart Association measures. These metrics include critical components such as effectively informing crews of potential stroke patients through 9-1-1 dispatchers and ensuring timely performance of essential procedures like administering ECGs within 10 minutes of first contact. Remarkably, responders also provide aspirin to suspected heart attack patients, all while alerting the receiving medical facility about positive STEMI tests within that same critical time frame.

The ongoing efforts of PCFR reflect not just on their internal practices but also highlight their collaboration with hospitals to ensure optimal care for all patients. Medical Director Paul Banerjee pointed out the importance of this community partnership, which is essential for achieving the best possible outcomes in emergencies.

Improvements Through Mission Lifeline

Ever since the implementation of the Mission Lifeline protocol in 2015, PCFR has transported 2,585 patients, showcasing the significant strides made in emergency medical response. A notable success story is the increase in patients meeting the E2B (EMS to balloon) time of 90 minutes, which climbed from 74% in 2015 to 84% by 2019. Although the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, PCFR managed to maintain impressive rates with 84% in 2019, 81% in 2020, and 70% in 2021.

The under-triage rate for STEMI patients took a dip as well; it dropped from between 2% to 4% in the years 2015-2017 to below 1%, boasting a mere 0.3% in 2022. The over-triage rate has similarly improved, reducing from 4% in 2015 to less than 0.6% by 2024. This highlights the effectiveness of fine-tuning the protocol over time, increasing both the accuracy and efficiency of prehospital care.

The Role of EMS in Community Health

According to the CDC, high-quality emergency medical services (EMS) play an essential role in improving survival rates for time-sensitive emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks. However, the quality and accessibility of these services can differ widely across the U.S., shaped largely by local and state funding. Disparities based on race, ethnicity, and geography underscore the importance of enhancing EMS systems, especially in rural and underserved communities.

Emerging approaches like community paramedicine aim to bridge gaps in healthcare access, expanding preventive care for populations that need it most. The CDC also emphasizes the necessity for research into health inequities to inform public health decisions, a responsibility that local authorities should not take lightly.

In conclusion, the achievements of Polk County Fire Rescue demonstrate the power of diligence, training, and collaboration in enhancing emergency medical services. Their award-winning status not only brings pride to the county but also provides a template for others to follow in the pursuit of exemplary prehospital care, ensuring that no one is left behind when critical moments arise.