ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: CAN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES MEET THE RECOMMENDED TREATMENT TIMELINES?

Abstract

The advanced skill sets and abilities of paramedics and emergency medical services systems are increasingly being recognized as beneficial to the health system. In the case of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) the recommendation has been made to include prehospital care provided by paramedics. This study evaluated the treatment timelines for both STEMI treatment protocols (i.e., PCI or thrombolytics) administered in a provincial emergency medical service system. Times were compared to the recommended treatment timelines to determine if the current system is meeting the recommendations. Defining success in meeting the recommended timelines is dependent on defining where the first point of medical contact occurs in the prehospital environment. Having this definition is important as EMS can either be successful in over 90% of cases, or they can be successful in less than 75% of the STEMI cases.