The Southtown Star recently published an article highlighting a significant donation of advanced medical equipment to several fire departments in the South Suburbs. According to a press release from the Franciscan Alliance Foundation St. James Health, they have provided state-of-the-art 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) devices to fire departments in Country Club Hills, Homewood, and University Park. These devices will be installed in their ambulances to improve emergency care for patients experiencing heart-related issues.
This cutting-edge technology allows first responders to conduct 12-lead ECGs on-site during emergencies, particularly for individuals suspected of having a heart attack—such as STEMI, a severe type of heart attack. The system can detect abnormal heart rhythms and transmit real-time data directly to Franciscan St. James Health. This enables the hospital’s emergency department and cardiac catheterization lab to prepare for the patient’s arrival before they even reach the facility, significantly improving response times.
The American Heart Association reports that nearly 400,000 people in the U.S. suffer from STEMI each year. Research has shown that using 12-lead ECGs in pre-hospital settings can drastically reduce the “door to balloon†time—the time it takes to open a blocked artery during a heart attack. Studies emphasize that the most effective results occur when the cath lab is activated while the patient is still being transported.
Dr. Daniel Netluch, Chief Medical Officer at Franciscan St. James, stated in the release, “Our goal is to minimize the time it takes to get patients to treatment. The 20 to 30 minutes we can save by receiving this critical information while the patient is en route can make a huge difference in saving heart muscle and ultimately, lives. It also improves the quality of life for those affected.â€
In addition to these partnerships, Franciscan St. James has collaborated with fire departments in Chicago Heights, Frankfort, Matteson, and Monee. These efforts have helped the hospital become the first and only south suburban facility to earn Chest Pain Center accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.
Thanks, Dan.
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