St. Luke’s Emergency & Transport Service (SLETS) has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures in the treatment of patients who experience the most dangerous form of heart attacks.

It’s the second year in a row that SLETS, which provides Basic and Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Services to communities in Bucks, Lehigh and Monroe counties, is receiving an AHA Mission: Lifeline® award.

Rodney Wolfe, Monroe County Operations Supervisor for SLETS, accepted the award during a presentation at the Pocono Township Municipal Building, Tannersville. Wolfe was joined by Don Seiple, President of St. Luke’s Monroe Campus, and Carol Kuplen, President of St. Luke’s-Bethlehem and Chief Nursing Officer.

“We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for all cardiac patients,” Wolfe said.

Last year, SLETS received the Bronze Award. This year, the EMS team achieved the Gold Plus Award for providing exceptional cardiac care to the residents of the Lehigh Valley and Poconos. The Gold Plus Award validates that SLETS team members maintain a high standard of care in recognizing, identifying and treating a pre-hospital cardiac event.

Agencies receiving the Mission: Lifeline® Gold award have demonstrated at least 75 percent compliance for each required achievement measure for two years.

More than 250,000 people each year experience the deadliest type of heart attack, an ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), which is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said James Jollis, M.D., Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Advisory Working Group. “We applaud St. Luke’s Emergency & Transport Service for achieving this award that shows it meets evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of people who have severe heart attacks.”