Crime & Safety
OLFD Recognized for Timely Treatment of Critically Ill Heart Patients
Oak Lawn Fire Department receives Silver Line Award from American Heart Association.
The Oak Lawn Fire and Rescue Department has been awarded the American Heart Association’s Silver Mission Lifeline Award. The program recognizes emergency medical services teams across the country that play a vital role providing timely treatment for heart patients.
Only 200 of the inaugural awards were given out nationally to pre-hospital providers who meet or exceed the standard for heart patient care.
With the advancements in cardiac monitoring devices, and prompt treatment by paramedics, the doctors are now able to visually see the patient’s electrocardiogram (12-lead EKG) while paramedics are in the field. The early transmission of this EKG allows the cardiac doctors and their team to meet the patient upon arriving to the Emergency Room, saving precious time.
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In order to receive the award, those patients who are having a heart attack, must have their heart artery opened in less than 90 minutes, so paramedics must act quickly.
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