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Achievements since September 2007:
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Over 1000 paramedics, 1200 nurses, and 100 physicians have received training on reperfusion protocols, American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines and the CCS perspective for timely reperfusion.
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30 hospitals/urgent care centres and 14 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) groups are now using best practice reperfusion protocols.
- Upgraded technology that increases the rate of successful ECG transmissions from rural or remote areas by 20 percent in most cases has been purchased and is in use.
- A public awareness campaign is underway to encourage Albertans to stress how important it is for Albertans to call an ambulance if they think they might be having a heart attack.
Local highlights of what is happening around the province as of May 2009 include:
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Beaver Ambulance in Tofield and Viking, along with Tofield and Viking Hospitals have implemented the protocols.
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Camrose EMS continues process optimization to ensure they are in line with best practices.
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Edmonton has implemented STEMI reperfusion medication orders and is providing case based feedback on STEMI treatment times. AMI teams have been established at the University Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital to review STEMI care and quality improvements quarterly.
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Peace Country EMS has implemented the new protocols. High Prairie and Fairview Hospitals are making preparations for taking patients. Grande Prairie continues to review internal processes and align STEMI treatment with best practise guidelines.
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Drayton Valley Hospital has implemented the protocols, as have Rocky Mountain House EMS and Rocky Mountain House Hospital.
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In Wetaskiwin, EMS is going through its protocols and optimizing its processes and continues bimonthly training. The Wetaskiwin hospital also continues to review and improve its STEMI pathways.
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Mountainview EMS has gone live with new pathways that address the care of heart attack patients in the Sundre/Olds and north of Calgary areas.
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Calgary Health is collaborating with rural hospitals to address early diagnosis, early treatment strategies and standardized care pathways.
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Palliser is looking at optimizing its response processes in Medicine Hat. Palliser EMS has initiated ECG transmissions to the emergency departments in Brooks and Bassano which is aiding timely diagnosis and delivery of lytic upon arrival to the emergency department and early transfer if primary PCI is required.
The Heart Attack Initiative was featured in April’s 2008 issue of Pulse. Click here for the story.
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