St. Luke's 20th Annual EMS Recognition Event
Posted on Apr 15, 2015
By St. Luke's, Duluth, MN
The 20
th annual EMS Recognition Event was held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention
Center (DECC) on Tuesday, April 14. The evening honored EMS professionals
for their knowledgeable and selfless service to the community. The Washburn
Ambulance, Ashland Fire Department and Memorial Medical Center were recognized
for their involvement with a ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
(STEMI) case. Each group received a plaque recognizing their quick response
in caring for the patient. Receiving the awards were:
Washburn Ambulance
- Dan Clark, EMT
- Lisa Verville, EMT
- Scott Griffiths, EMT
Ashland Fire Department
- Matt Spangler, EMT-P
- Kevin Alajoki, EMT-P
- John Granger
Memorial Medical Center
- Dr. Terrence Asplund
- Jacquelyn Brown, RN
- Amy Welty, RN
- Trisha Dearhamer, RN
- Corrina Tikka, RN
When treating STEMI patients, time is of the essence. “Only 19 minutes
lapsed from the time the patient arrived at Memorial Medical Center until
medication was administered and that is remarkable,” said St. Luke’s
Cardiologist Dr. James Mohn. “If it weren’t for the quick
responses of the EMTs, paramedics and Memorial Medical Center, the outcome
for the patient could have been much different.” According to the
American Heart Association, each year in the United States, approximately
250,000 people have a STEMI caused by a complete blockage of blood flow
to the heart that requires timely treatment.
“We are honored to award the Washburn Ambulance, Ashland Fire Department
and Memorial Medical Center with this award for their outstanding medical
care for the patient,” said Stan Sadenwasser, St. Luke’s Cardiovascular
Coordinator. “This is an example of extraordinary teamwork among
entities and an example of improving patient outcomes by working together.”
The annual EMS Recognition Event is sponsored by St. Luke’s every
April and recognizes EMS professionals by providing an education program,
dinner and recognition of their time and efforts in the community to help
others in need.
Description of the Incident
Washburn Ambulance responded to a call from a 76-year-old male who was
having severe chest pains in January 2015. After assessing the case, they
called for an intercept team of paramedics from the Ashland Fire Department.
The paramedics a 12 lead EKG and determined the patient was having a severe
heart attack, also known as a STEMI. Memorial Medical Center was prepared
to receive the patient and administered appropriate medication 19 minutes
after the patient’s arrival. The patient was ground transported
to St. Luke’s in Duluth, where Cardiologist Dr. James Mohn treated
him. After stabilization, he was moved to the ICU and appropriately was
treated in the cardiac catherization lab the next day. Today, the patient
is doing well.
From the time of first medical contact with the Washburn ambulance to the
time of arrival at St. Luke’s, only 187 minutes lapsed.
BELOW: Dr. James Mohn, St. Luke's Cardiologist; Trisha Dearhamer, RN; Amy
Welty, RN; Kevin Alajoki, EMT-P; Matt Spangler, EMT-P; Stan Sadenwasser,
St. Luke's Cadiovascular Coordinator