Essentia Health EMS Teams Honored by American Heart Association for Exceptional Patient Care
Recognizing a commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, Essentia Health’s emergency medical services (EMS) teams in Deer River, Detroit Lakes, Fosston, Moose Lake and Sandstone have received the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Mission: Lifeline EMS® Bronze achievement award.
EMS staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. These professionals are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may receive faster treatment at the hospital.
“I’m extremely proud of our EMS teams as they continually strive to provide the highest quality pre-hospital care,” said Joe Newton, EMS senior director at Essentia. “This is another example of Essentia successfully navigating the challenges of rural health care to ensure our patients have access to expert and compassionate care when they need it most.”
Essentia’s EMS team consists of about 170 skilled professionals who serve in the following roles: emergency vehicle technicians, emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and interfacility dispatchers.
Mission: Lifeline EMS® is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease states, such as severe heart attacks and strokes. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment — starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients takes coordination between pre-hospital providers and health care systems.
