Getting a quick diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death for someone having chest pains, that could be signs of a heart attack. A local hospital recently added technology that can be a life-saver for these patients.
UPMC Bedford’s emergency department serves a large rural area–and is the destination for ambulances from Raystown, Bedford, Southern Cove, Saxton, Six Mile Run, Cumberland Valley, and other areas. It can be an hour of more before some patients get to the hospital.
During that time, their hands-on care depends on paramedics like George Shawl, who works for Raystown Ambulance. He says, “from the time of dispatch, my mind’s running in probably 15 different ways on how a call could go and processing what’s going to happen when I get there.”
If it’s chest pain, Shawl immediately hooks the patient up to a 12-lead echocardiogram or EKG
Emergency Department Assistant Medical Director Dr. Shaun Sheehan says, “you can see where the heart attack is occurring or what type of arrhythmia is occurring a little bit better.”
Until recently, doctors and nurses in the ER depended on the paramedics’ reading of the EKG. But, now, new wireless technology allows the ambulance crew to send the test to doctors and nurses with the push of a button.
“While most paramedics can recognize an acute heart attack on the EKG, Dr. Sheehan says, “it can sometimes be very subtle and if we see those changes we would redirect the ambulance to the appropriate facility.”
Patients can be driven or flown right to UPMC Altoona or another hospital where a cardiologist would be standing by to implant a stent or do another heart procedure.
If the problem is an irregular heart beat, the ER doctor can order medication to be given by the paramedic on the scene.
Emergency Department Unit Director Andrew Sylvester says, “it’s a very big deal I think it allows us to give better care provide more comprehensive care to patients in a faster manner. As we know, with heart issues, time is muscle.”
Shawl adds, “I’ve had some patients it’s definitely helped.”
The Memorial Hospital of Bedford County Foundation bought the equipment for the hospital.
