[Archived] Alexandria Fire Department Earns National Recognition for Efforts to Improve STEMI Treatment in Northern Virginia

The American Heart Association presents Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Achievement Award for implementation of quality care for severe heart attack and stroke patients

For Immediate Release: August 26, 2021

The Alexandria Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline^® EMS Gold Plus Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks. Since 2014, the first year of the Mission Lifeline EMS Award program, AFD has been recognized at the highest level for EMS agencies.

“The Alexandria Fire Department is dedicated to providing the best care when responding to medical emergencies in the City of Alexandria,” said EMS Deputy Chief Brian Hricik. “This honorable recognition is not accomplished without a strong relationship with our healthcare partners, the guidance and commitment of our Operational Medical Director, the quality management review process, and of course the hard work of all of our EMS providers as they skillfully and expediently treat patients who are suffering from cardiac and neurological medical emergencies.”

Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the hospitals, EMS and all aspects of the healthcare system.

“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, M.D., chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.”

Program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care for STEMI patients.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline^® program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for acute coronary syndrome patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology clinical treatment guidelines. AFD is very proud to be a part of the American Heart Association’s efforts to turn guidelines into lifelines.

For media inquiries only, contact Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5190.