News

Kan. County`s EMS Receives Lifeline EMS Gold Award

Ashley Booker

08/19/2016

Aug. 19--The American Heart Association has recently named Reno County Emergency Medical Services a recipient of the Lifeline EMS Gold Award.

The award is designated based on implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment and care of heart attack patients, according to a release from Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, of which Reno County EMS is an entity.

According to JEMS, a national publication about EMS, no other EMS organizations in Kansas have received the gold designation -- the highest award level granted yearly for emergency care of patients with heart attacks.

"We're going to be like Michael Phelps -- we just want more," Reno County EMS Chief Terry David said jokingly.

David said it's nice for his dedicated, hardworking staff to be recognized, as they have worked tirelessly to achieve these results.

"People in health care have a hard enough job as it is. And sometimes we forget their dedication and how important they really are," David said. "So things like this are really a way to capture that and say, 'You know, you really do make a difference.'

"When you go into this business, it isn't your goal to win awards," he added. "To give the top level of care -- that's really what drives them."

To receive gold, an organization must receive silver first -- which it received in 2015 -- and then bronze before that. The number of heart attack patients drives the award.

Kari Banning, EMS team leader, accepted the award on behalf of the organization at the Kansas EMS Association Awards Banquet a week ago in Wichita.

Local data is collected annually and sent to the AHA for consideration of multiple award designations.

"Our standard operating procedure is to administer an EKG to heart attack victims within five minutes of our initial contact with the patient and administer an IV or provide medications when needed," David said in a statement. "Throughout our trip to the hospital, we maintain constant communication with the Emergency Department in an effort to speed response and treatments."

Hutchinson Fire Department personnel and other first-response groups are also important partners in creating what David said is "an excellent pre-hospital response system that improves patient outcomes."

Last year, Reno County EMS responded to about 6,000 calls. This year, he believes they'll be closer to 7,000.

James Jollis, MD, and chairman of the Mission: Lifeline Working Group, said EMTs and paramedics play a key role in taking care of heart attack victims since they oftentimes are the "first medical point of contact."

"They can shave precious minutes of lifesaving treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals," said Jollis.

Jollis said his organization applauds Reno County EMS for achieving the award.

"We strive to provide a service that excels in providing care and treatment for all acute coronary syndrome patients, and it is gratifying that AHA has taken note of our efforts," said Ken Johnson, president and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, in a statement.

Reno County EMS has 24 full-time paramedics -- six of whom are registered nurses -- along with two EMTs.

It has operated under the umbrella of HRMC since 1971.

Volunteer departments are stationed in Pretty Prairie, Haven, Buhler, Nickerson, Sylvia and Turon. The Kansas Board of EMS licenses volunteer staff with EMS services in Buhler, Pretty Prairie and Haven.