The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division of Johnston County Emergency Services has received the 2019 American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award for continued quality measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. This makes the third consecutive year the EMS division has received the highest award of its type from the American Heart Association.
Every year, more than 250,000 people in the United States experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 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.
“Johnston County Emergency Services is proud of this accomplishment for the third consecutive year as we continue to place the patient first,” said Dan Gagne, EMS Division Chief. “This is the result of hard work from our 911 dispatchers, fire department responders, EMTs and paramedics and achieves our mission to provide excellent care and quality service.”
