The Central Shenandoah Emergency Medical Services Council (CSEMSC) recently presented Rockingham Memorial Hospital with its annual regional award for outstanding contribution to emergency medical service.
RMH was honored along with eight individuals, one regional EMS agency and one coalition at a July 22 ceremony.
“The award winners and all of the nominees for each category are outstanding representatives of our regional EMS system,” said CSEMSC President Gary Critzer.
The award for outstanding contribution to EMS is given to an individual, corporation, business, news media or program providing financial, material, educational or other tangible support to benefit local or regional EMS system, Critzer said.
“This is a truly an honor for RMH,” said Donna Hahn, RN, MSN, vice president, acute care, and chief nurse executive. “We are committed to community partnership, and this recognition is an affirmation of the many hours, hard work and team spirit of our staff. We also salute our hometown heroes, the emergency medical service workers—many of whom also do ‘double duty’ as medical personnel at RMH. We are all on the same team working as the gatekeepers of the community’s health.”
RMH was nominated for the following contributions:
· RMH-EMS Task Force—Since 1992, this group has met bi-monthly to improve the working relationship between EMS agencies and key RMH departments such as the Pharmacy, Security and Emergency Department.
· Cardiac Catheterization Lab/STEMI Triage—The RMH cath lab began 24/7 operation in August 2007. In January 2008, RMH began partnering with EMS to offer pre-hospital STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) triage.
With this new protocol, an EMS technician can take an EKG (electrocardiogram) en route to the hospital and phone the results to an Emergency Department physician, who can call in the cath lab team ahead of the patient’s arrival at RMH if necessary. This new protocol has resulted in improved “door-to-balloon” times and better outcomes for patients who experience heart attacks requiring emergency catheterization to open blocked coronary arteries.
· Community AEDs—In partnership with medical vendors St. Jude Medical and Cardiac Science, RMH donated automated electronic defibrillators to schools and community centers, including Elkton Community Center, Frank Hillyard Middle School, Wilber Pence Middle School, Harrisonburg High School, Harrisonburg Community Health Center, Fulks Run Elementary School and Lucy Simms Center. RMH plans distribution of additional AEDs in the community.
· Cardiac Catheterization Education—RMH Cath Lab physicians are providing an educational presentation to regional EMS providers on STEMI triage and cardiac catheterization.
· Pharmacy Support—An EMS liaison from the Pharmacy is available to address questions or concerns. “RMH works with the regional pharmacy group to provide standardized EMS drug boxes at no cost to the EMS agencies,” said Leslie Ney, RN, CEN, EMT-P, training officer for the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad and an RMH Emergency Department nurse. “RMH has extended its generosity and services outside of its doors to EMS and the community as a whole to jointly promote and improve health and wellness.”
· EMS 12-Lead Cardiac Monitors—RMH has recognized a need in the community for additional 12-lead cardiac monitors and has initiated the purchase of additional devices to be distributed to local EMS agencies. A 12-lead cardiac monitor is used to check heart rhythm and help determine if a patient is having a heart attack. “As our community continues to grow, the need for comprehensive heart care services grow as well, and that includes care well beyond the four walls of our institution,” said Dave Grembi, director, RMH Heart & Vascular Center. “RMH is committed to working collaboratively with our local and regional EMS personnel to assure residents in our region receive the best possible heart care. It is an honor to be on the same team and focused on the highest standards of care for patients with heart conditions.”
The regional award winners have been submitted to the Virginia EMS Advisory Board to compete at the state level in the Governor’s EMS Awards. Statewide winners will be announced Nov. 14.
The Central Shenandoah EMS Council serves the counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and
Waynesboro. The regional EMS council is part of Virginia’s comprehensive EMS system. It serves to assess, identify, coordinate, plan and implement regional EMS delivery in partnership with the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services and the Governor’s EMS Advisory Board.
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