The 21st annual EMS Recognition Event was held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention
Center (DECC) on Tuesday, April 19. The evening honored EMS professionals
for their knowledgeable and selfless service to the community. The Nashwauk
Ambulance, MEDS 1 EMS, Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital, and Life Link
III 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:
Nashwauk Ambulance
- John Calaguire, EMT-B
- John Flint, EMT-B
MEDS 1 EMS
- Nathan Siem, EMT-P
- Stephen Sovada, EMT-B
Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital
- Debra Nyquist, MD, FAAFP
- Rachel Johnson, RN
- Molly Lenoch, RN
- Jessica Ross, CCUC
Life Link III
- Don Romano, CFRN
- Lars Starks, FPCC
When treating STEMI patients, time is of the essence. “Only 119 minutes
lapsed from the time the patient received initial medical contact from
the Nashwauk ambulance until the occluded coronary artery was opened and
that is remarkable,” said St. Luke’s Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. Scott Mikesell. “If it weren’t for the quick responses
of the EMTs, paramedics, Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital staff, and
Life Link III 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 Nashwauk Ambulance, MEDS 1 EMS, Grand
Itasca Clinic & Hospital, and Life Link III with this award for their
outstanding medical care for the patient,” said Stan Sadenwasser,
St. Luke’s Cardiovascular Services 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
Nashwauk Ambulance responded to a call from an 84 year old male who was
experiencing chest tightness and profuse sweating in September 2015. After
performing a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), which identified that the
patient was having a severe heart attack, also known as a STEMI, the EMTs
requested a paramedic intercept with MEDS 1 Emergency Medical Service.
The paramedics confirmed a STEMI and notified Grand Itasca Clinic &
Hospital, which facilitated pre-activation of the STEMI team and requested
for air medical transport by Life Link III. The patient was flown to St.
Luke’s and taken directly to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, where
the awaiting team under the direction of Interventional Cardiologist Dr.
Scott Mikesell, were able open the occluded coronary artery. The ability
of EMS to perform 12-lead ECG along with the leadership and teamwork provided
by Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital certainly made possible this excellent
patient outcome.
From the time of first medical contact with the Nashwauk ambulance to the
time of the opened occluded coronary artery in St. Luke’s Cardiac
Catheterization Lab, only 119 minutes lapsed.
BELOW: (Left to right) Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital:Rachel Johnson, RN, Jessica Ross, CCUC, Molly Lenoch, RN; MEDS 1 EMS:Nathan Siem, EMT-P, Stephen Sovada, EMT-B; Life Link III: Don Romano, CFRN; Nashwauk Ambulance:John Calaguire, EMT-B, John Flint, EMT-B