DB 17-02 - Non-Transports of High Risk Cardiac Patients

Question 1

The primary intent of acquiring a 12 lead ECG is to identify a heart attack known as?

Answer 1

ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Question 2

12 lead ECGs often identify high risk patients who are not experiencing a STEMI, but who are in fact suffering from other types of heart attacks or cardiac emergencies.

The key words that identify a potentially life-threatening cardiac event are the so-called “i words”, which are?

Answer 2

-injury
-ischemia
-infarct

(ECG readings of the above place the patient at a much higher degree of risk of death or disability if they are not transported for further evaluation in an emergency department.)

Question 3

Any time a 12 lead ECG is acquired and the computer interpretation includes any of the following words: “injury, ischemia, or infarct”, and the patient refuses ambulance transport….
The ALS resource (paramedic rescue ambulance or assessment resource) shall?

Answer 3

-Establish base station contact for a formal AMA (against medical advice)

(The base station shall be informed about the ECG reading and paramedic shall attempt to electronically transmit ECG to base station and request a physician over-read.)