Published on November 09, 2010

Adventist HealthCare Partners with Montgomery County to Install LifeNet System in Ambulances for Faster Treatment of Heart Attack Patients

Rockville, MD – Adventist HealthCare and its two hospitals, Washington Adventist in Takoma Park and Shady Grove Adventist in Rockville, have helped to purchase a new communications system for Montgomery County ambulances that will enable people experiencing the deadliest type of heart attack, known as a STEMI, to get faster diagnosis and treatment when they arrive by ambulance to the hospitals.

The Web-based software system, called LifeNet, combined with a receiving device located in the hospitals’ emergency departments, will allow emergency medical technicians to send electrocardiogram (EKG) results from the ambulance to hospital staff to view before the patient arrives. STEMI stands for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. In the past, ambulance crews did EKGs but transmitted findings verbally via radio or cell phone. The Adventist HealthCare hospitals are working with two other county hospitals to cover the cost of the equipment for the county.
 
“The LifeNet system will allow us to receive and view test results to more accurately understand what kind of cardiac emergency a patient is experiencing and activate our cath lab teams for that patient’s immediate treatment upon arrival,” said Dr. Drew White, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Washington Adventist Hospital.

Every year, almost 400,000 people annually suffer a STEMI heart attack. Patients experiencing a STEMI require a balloon angioplasty to open their blocked artery.

“Medical research has determined that there are enormous benefits to early detection of myocardial infarctions and the shortest time possible from symptom onset to hospital intervention, said Dr. Dennis Friedman, Medical Director of the cardiac catheterization lab at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital.

Dr. David Brill, Medical Director of the cardiac catheterization lab at Washington Adventist Hospital, added, “heart attack victims who have a door-to-balloon time of 90 minutes or less have a better chance of survival and recover more quickly and completely.”

Prince George’s County ambulances already use the LifeNet system, which means EKGs will also be transmitted for many of the Washington Adventist Hospital patients who live in Prince George’s county, further enhancing their care.

“Adventist HealthCare is pleased to partner with both county EMS systems to expand access to care for those in the communities we serve, ultimately saving patients' lives,” added Dr. Gaurov Dayal, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President for Adventist HealthCare. 

Both hospitals are accredited chest pain centers and are recognized for their high-quality care to heart patients. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital’s Cardiac and Vascular services have earned a Gold Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology Foundation. Washington Adventist Hospital is a recipient of The Mission: Lifeline Bronze Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. 

Adventist HealthCare, an integrated health care delivery organization based in Rockville, Maryland, is one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland.  The mission of Adventist HealthCare is to demonstrate God’s care by improving the health of people and communities through a ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing. Adventist HealthCare includes Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Washington Adventist Hospital, Adventist Behavioral Health Services, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland,  Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Adventist Home Health Services, the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children, and LifeWork Strategies.