System Enhancements

In cases of a heart attack or cardiac arrest, the ambulance ride from the emergency scene to the hospital can be the most critical time in saving a patient’s life. Thanks to LIFEPAK 12, new technology introduced by Rural/Metro of Tennessee, emergency responders can  make the most of this valuable time.

Blount County
Rural/Metro utilizes 12-Lead EKGs to transmit patient cardiac data from the field to Blount Memorial Hospital's emergency department.  Once the physician reviews the results, paramedics are often able to start administration of Plavix and/or Heparin in the field. Having the 12-Lead EKGs transmitted from the field saves valuable time by alerting the Cath lab and other personnel so they are at the ER ready for the patient when they arrive.

This process can decrease myocardial damage and increase survival rates to residents of Blount County who experience a cardiac arrest.

Knox County

In early 2008, Rural/Metro placed 30 state-of-the-art LIFEPAK 12 mobile electrocardiogram (EKG) patient monitors in its ambulances throughout Knox County.  The program launched technology that enables immediate transmission of life-saving data to participating area hospitals while the ambulance is en route.

Every year, half a million Americans experience ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In order for those patients to have the best chance of survival, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommend a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) within 90 minutes, referred to as “door-to-balloon” time. If the door-to-balloon time stretches from 90 to 120 minutes, the mortality rate for STEMI patients increases by 40 percent.

LIFEPAK 12 units gather data from up to 10 “leads,” attached to the patient’s body in the ambulance. EKG readings and other information are immediately sent via a secure cellular signal to receivers at area hospitals, providing emergency department staff with the very latest vitals information prior to the patient’s arrival. The ability of the emergency department physician to make a preliminary diagnosis before the patient arrives avoids delays of registration and testing at the hospital. It also affords hospitals time to contact the cardiologist on call and take other preparatory measures.

“This initiative helps us improve every step of care in a cardiac emergency - from the onset of symptoms to treatment at the hospital,” said Roger Brooksbank, medical director at TeamHealth. “The time from the onset of the heart attack to the opening of the artery is critical in reducing heart damage and improving the chances of survival.”

Covenant Health, Mercy Health Partners and the University of Tennessee Medical Center have all purchased the equipment and are partnering together in this unique collaboration to improve care for heart attack patients in our community. Rural/Metro of Tennessee was the first emergency service provider in the country to fully integrate this early warning system with all area hospitals (with the exception of Children’s Hospital).

Mark Jones, Knox County Health Department director, praises the system and the positive impact it has on Knox County. “Time is critical during a heart attack, and Knox County recognizes the need to provide the mobile communications necessary to make this effort a success and help save lives,” he said. “We are pleased to have all area hospitals participating in this effort."

 Rural/Metro is the Only Nationally Accredited Ambulance Service in the State of Tennessee

The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) was established to encourage and promote quality patient care in America's medical transportation system. Based initially on the efforts of the American Ambulance Association, the independent Commission established a comprehensive series of standards for the ambulance service industry.

Accreditation signifies that Rural/Metro has met the "gold standard" determined by the ambulance industry to be essential in a modern emergency medical services provider. These standards often exceed those established by state or local regulation.

The process includes a comprehensive self-assessment and an independent outside review of the EMS organization. This independent process provides verification to your Board of Directors, city council, medical community and others that quality care is provided to the community.