“Time” is the heart attack victim’s biggest adversary. When the heart stops first, respirations stop all most immediately. With 400,000 people experiencing STEMI type heart attacks every year, Northwest Ambulance District has made a long standing commitment to public education that includes CPR training.

We have added new training aids such as “Fat Old Fred”, the first and only CPR manikin to offer the realistic size and appearance of an older, heavier cardiac victim; the kind rescue personnel are most likely to encounter in the public setting.

Another important addition to our teaching took kit is a choking manikin, on which students can practice proper hand placement, effective abdominal thrusts, and protocols for working with pregnant, older, or heavier choking victims.

Both “Fat Old Fred” and the “Choking Charlie” manikins have anatomical landmarks including sternum, rib cage, and substernal notch. All of our teaching manikins have airways that can be manipulated for obstruction, choking, and CPR.

Also new this year are 2 professional teaching packages with 4 adult “Brad” manikins, 2 child “Kyle” manikins, and 2 newborn “Kim” manikins. These manikins are realistic and feature accurate anatomical landmarks.

We are dedicated to providing a quality teaching environment and a top notch hands-on experience for each CPR student.

It remains an on-going commitment by Northwest Ambulance District’s staff to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

“STEMI” is an acronym meaning “ST segment elevation myocardial infarction,” which is a type of heart attack. This is determined by an electrocardiogram ECG test.

Myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) occur when a coronary artery (the blood vessels that feed the heart muscle) suddenly becomes at least partially blocked by a blood clot, causing at least some of the heart muscle, being supplied by that artery, to become infracted (dead). Heart attacks are divided into two types, according to their severity. A STEMI is the more severe type.

Every year 400,000 people experience STEMIs, the deadliest type of heart attacks. A significant number don’t receive prompt reperfusion therapy, which is critical in restoring blood flow. Worse yet, 30% of STEMI victims don’t receive reperfusion treatment at all.

Northwest Ambulance began the process to close the gaps that separate STEMI patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. This project began in 1999 when NAD took part in a nationwide study to place a drug called Retavase on ambulances.

I am pleased to report to you that after much training, working with University Hospitals, PhysioControl and the Lifenet STEMI management solutions system, we can now make a big difference in the outcome if you experience a “STEMI”.

NAD personnel, by use of the Lifenet system, can deliver your 12 lead ECG to the emergency room and the treatment team in Cleveland. It is a web-based system and the first of its kind. All the medical personnel are able to consult on the best care, make a rapid trip to a Cath Lab in Cleveland or administer clot busting drugs in the field. All this takes only moments and the necessary information to save your life is seen by all members of the medical team at the same time.

There is no doubt lives will be saved! NAD is proud to be the first ambulance service, in Ashtabula County, to have the clot busters on its squads. The relationship with UH GMC, UH Cleveland, University MedEvac, Geneva dispatch and a willingness of our board and staff to deliver care that makes such a difference made this possible.

This is the kind of work we are able to do because of your continued support.

I have written about “STEMI” before, one of the most severe types of heart attacks. “STEMI’s” have the possibility to stop the heart.

When the heart stops, CPR is the order of the day. Chest compressions consist of rhythmic applications of pressure over the lower half of the sternum. These compressions create blood flow by directly compressing the heart.

Blood flow generated by chest compressions delivers a small but critical amount of oxygen to the brain and heart. Good chest compressions increase the likelihood that a defibrillation (electrical shock) will be more successful.

Effective chest compressions are essential for providing good blood flow during CPR.

To give effective compressions, “push hard and push fast”. Compress the adult chest at a rate of 100 times per minute with a depth of 1 ½ to 2 inches and minimize interruptions in the chest compressions.

Proper technique is so important that the Northwest Ambulance has purchased 2 “Lucas Chest Compression Systems”. These systems provide near perfect compressions to the chest. When used by our staff, there are no interruptions and rescuer fatigue is no longer an issue.

We have seen a sharp increase in field resuscitation since putting the Lucas systems in service. The units have a price tag of $15,000 each. It remains an on-going commitment by N.A.D. staff to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease.

How well we do depends on what you do before we arrive, so remember, PUSH HARD AND PUSH FAST.

Coming soon.......