Williamson County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline^® EMS Gold Plus Award for the fourth year in a row, and the Mission Lifeline Award for the seventh year in a row. This award is given to pre-hospital providers for continuing to meet quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience heart attacks. 

Every year, more than 300,000 people experience a STEMI, or ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, a type of heart attack caused by a complete 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 surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication.  

In 2019, Williamson County EMS saw 759 suspected cardiac chest pain patients who were more than 35 years of age. Of those, all were assessed for STEMI and 60 were found to have STEMI and treated successfully for it. 

Mission: Lifeline seeks to save lives by closing the gaps that separate STEMI patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes those pre-hospital providers for their efforts in improving STEMI systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients.  

Emergency Medical System providers are vital to the success of Mission: Lifeline. EMS agencies provide access to 12-lead ECG machines (devices that measure the electrical activity of the heartbeat and can help medical personnel determine if a heart attack has occurred), and follow protocols derived from American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines. The correct tools and training allow EMS providers to rapidly identify the STEMI, promptly notify the medical center from the scene, and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.  

Agencies that receive the Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus award have demonstrated at least 75 percent compliance for each required achievement measure for two years and treated at least eight STEMI patients for each year. To receive the Plus designation, Williamson County EMS reported on an optimal measurement.   

“Williamson County EMS is committed to being a preeminent pre-hospital provider, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that by implementing processes for improving STEMI systems of care with the goal of improving the quality of care for all STEMI patients,” said Williamson County EMS Director Mike Knipstein. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for STEMI patients. This award signifies the outstanding care our paramedics provide. During this difficult time, they continue to provide outstanding care.”  

Williamson County EMS was recognized for this achievement in the Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting on August 18, 2020.