Vim & Vigor - Spring 2009 - (Page 52)

comes ems training full circle a look at st. anthony central hospital’s nationally recognized program by carla carwile W 52 vim & vigor • sp rin g 2 009 When Paul Jansen experienced signs of stroke while driving, his wife, Francine, was able to guide the car to the curb and call 911 on her cell phone. The Westminster Fire Department arrived in less than two minutes. Within two more minutes, the District 5 ambulance was on the scene and Paramedic Jason Sale began Jansen’s examination. It was the first suspected stroke response Sale had encountered after on-the-job training about St. Anthony Central’s innovative Stroke Alert program. With the mantra “time is brain,” the program assures every minute is maximized, including those it takes for the ambulance to reach the hospital. Following established protocols, Sale and his response team inserted intravenous lines, started high-flow oxygen, conducted an EKG and neurological assessment, checked for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar, which can mimic a stroke) and alerted the Emergency Department at St. Anthony Central that Jansen was en route. Thanks to the rapid and concerted action of prehospital and emergency medical staff, Jansen not only survived his life-threatening stroke, he was back driving within the week.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2009

Vim & Vigor
Contents
CEO Letter
For Your health
The 2.5-Centimeter Surgery
Cracking the Case
Domino Effect
No More Excuses
A Grand Plan
Home, Clean Home
RX for Success
Your Lovely Bones (and Joints)
Freeze, Food!
Employment Assistance
When Memory Fails
Community Connections
EMS Training
Pallitive Care
Award-Winning Care
Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2009