PITTSFIELD, Mass. — County Ambulance Service received the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline EMS  Bronze achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives.

 

Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital.

 

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 the individual prehospital providers and healthcare systems.

 

"Arguably the most important link in the chains of survival for acute stroke and cardiovascular emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals," said Dr. Edward Jauch, chair of the department of research at the University of North Carolina Health Sciences at Mountain Area Health Center. "Early condition identification, stabilization and prehospital interventions, and initiation of actions within the regional systems of care provide patients with the best chance for receiving expedient definitive therapies leading to optimal outcomes and maximized quality of life.

 

"The American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline EMS awards are an important way to recognize the crucial roles and performances of EMS personnel in stroke and cardiac patients' care."

 

The award focuses on agencies' on-scene care, bringing to the forefront the collaboration and contributions to patient care for prehospital providers.

 

"County Ambulance Service is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our commitment to providing optimal care for heart attack patients," said Brian K. Andrews, president of County Ambulance Service. "The Mission: Lifeline program applies proven knowledge and guidelines daily, giving patients the best possible chance of survival.

 

"We are incredibly proud of our EMS and quality improvement staff for ensuring our patients receive the highest level of clinical care they deserve. While many EMS agencies have faced challenges in the post-COVID era, our organization remains committed to maintaining and improving the quality of care we provide."