EMS Heart Attack Alert Program

Streamlined Approach Saves Heart Muscle and Lives

Time is muscle and when it comes to the heart every second counts. Thanks to a streamlined approach for treating patients experiencing cardiac emergencies, paramedics from MidMichigan Medical Center–Emergency Medical Services (EMS), along with the Emergency Department (ER) and Cardiac Catheterization teams at MidMichigan Medical Center–Midland are not only saving heart muscle, they’re saving lives.

This EMS heart attack alert program is designed to rapidly identify patients with ST elevated myocardial infarctions (STEMI), activate the Cardiac Cath team and rapidly transport the patient to MidMichigan Medical Center–Midland, the nearest Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center.

With state protocols now in place, the program spans a 60-mile radius and includes Midland, Clare, Gladwin and Isabella Counties, as well as parts of Gratiot and Roscommon Counties. In fact, MidMichigan Medical Center EMS continues to collaborate with other area EMS providers, including Mobile Medical Response, United Rescue Service, Houghton Lake EMS and Denton Township Ambulance Service. 

STEMI Process

	Step 1 - Individual experiences one or more signs of a heart attack (chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, heavy sweating, indigestion or radiating pain) and dials 911
	Step 2 - Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel arrive at the scene and perform a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the extent of the individual’s cardiac emergency
	Step 3 - For certain types of heart attacks, the EMS personnel immediately contact the Emergency Department (ER) at MidMichigan Medical Center–Midland, the nearest Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center
	Step 4 - The ER staff quickly activate the Cardiac Cath Rapid Response Team and admit the patient to the Medical Center
	Step 5 - The ambulance arrives at the Medical Center, bypasses the ER and heads straight for the cardiac cath lab for immediate intervention to re-establish blood flow to the heart

Bypassing the ER and heading straight for the cath lab saves an average of 20 minutes or more, time that can be critical for a heart attack patient.

MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland has set a target of <=90 minutes for door-to-baloon intervention based on recommendations by the American College or Cardiology. By following these recommndations, the patient’s chance of recovery without loss of heart muscle or long-term complications is very high.

This streamlined approach is also implemented in cases where a patient arrives in the ER and presents with heart attack symptoms. The patient is quickly moved into an exam room where a 12-lead ECG is performed to determine the extent of the cardiac emergency and the course of action. Additionally, at MidMichigan Medical Centers in Alma, Clare and Gladwin, patients are diagnosed and given early treatment, then quickly transported to Midland where the Cath Lab is ready to ensure expedited treatment upon arrival.