The award recognizes Pinellas County emergency medical service’s treatment of heart attack patients.

PINELLAS COUNTY – The Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services system was recognized by the American Heart Association this week for its dedication to successful treatment of patients suffering severe heart attacks.

The Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award honors the collective work of the entire county EMS system, including all provider agencies, for implementing life-saving practices that prevent potentially deadly heart attacks.

Pinellas is among only 11 Gold Plus award recipients in Florida this year out of more than 270 licensed EMS providers. The award was presented during the Pinellas County EMS Advisory Council Meeting on Thursday.

“Pinellas County is dedicated to ensuring public health, safety and welfare for our entire community,” said Jim Fogarty, director of Pinellas County Safety and Emergency Services. “We are pleased to be recognized along with our partners by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing life-saving care for heart attack patients.”

Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction, the deadliest type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

The Gold Plus award recognizes agencies that have implemented tools, training, and practices that allow EMS providers to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center, and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for acute coronary syndrome patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology clinical treatment guidelines.

For information about the Heart Association’s program, go to heart.org.

Photo courtesy of Pinellas County.

Pinellas County | Emergency Medical Services | EMS | American Heart Association | Heart Attack | Heath | Tampabay News

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