Penn. Agency Receives AHA Gold Plus Award
The Tribune-Review, Greensburg
Aug. 01—Of the thousands of EMS agencies in the United States, fewer than 500 have received one of the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline awards, which recognize agencies for excellent patient care during a heart-related emergency .
In Pennsylvania, only 57 have received the award, and even fewer have attained the AHA's Gold Plus Award.
Murrysville Medic One is one of them, and AHA officials presented their award on Tuesday, along with a Bronze Plus Award presented to Penn Township Ambulance.
Murrysville Medic One has met the AHA's Mission: Lifeline benchmarks for two consecutive years.
Medic One Lt. Mike Recklein said credit goes the preparedness of the paramedics he helps supervise.
"All of our (care) providers are top-of-the-line," he said. "They continually participate in continuing-education programs, constantly learning new concepts and working with each other to provide the best level of care."
The Mission: Lifeline awards focus on STEMI or "ST elevation myocardial infarction," cases—most commonly, heart attacks.
"Early recognition and aggressive care of these patients is what has helped us achieve the level we're at right now," Recklein said.
Murrysville Medic One paramedics are responsible for the successful emergency care of at least eight "STEMI" patients in each of the past two years.
"The communities served by Medic One and Penn Township should be very proud of their pre-hospital care," said Gina Hrach, director of quality initiatives for the American Heart Association's Pittsburgh service area.
