Patients with a suspect heart attack now have more timely access to lifesaving interventions through new technology in Island ambulances, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“Emergency services are a vital component of our health service delivery and we continue to work with Island EMS to improve access to ambulance services,” said Minister Currie.
Recently, all ground ambulances were upgraded with enhanced electrocardiography (ECG) equipment that allows the receiving emergency department to read the detailed ECG in real-time while the patient is on the way to the hospital. This detail allows the emergency department to bring together a team of clinicians before the patient arrives. Previously, the receiving emergency department would receive general information about the patient’s condition, and had to rely on a second ECG conducted upon arrival to better guide the team’s response.
“For our emergency department team to be able to see first-hand the ECG readouts in real-time improves the efficiency and effectiveness of potentially life-saving care that the patient receives upon arrival at the hospital,” said Jamie MacDonald, Health PEI Executive Director of Provincial Clinical Services. “We know that time to treatment is a critical element in our efforts to reduce adverse outcomes. This announcement reinforces the importance of calling 9-1-1 when a person thinks they or their loved one may be experiencing a heart attack.”
Prince County Hospital has been live with this new technology transmission since early November. It was put in place at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital this week.
Islanders are reminded to call 9-1-1 if experiencing warning signs of a heart attack, including: chest discomfort (uncomfortable chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness), discomfort in other areas of the upper body (neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, back), shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and light-headedness.