San Juan Regional Health

San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department is top in the state when it comes to treating patients who experience severe heart attacks. The hospital’s EMS Department was the only one in New Mexico to receive the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award. Terri Archibeque, Executive Director of the American Heart Association, presented the award Wednesday at EMS Headquarters in Farmington. 

“At the American Heart Association, I see a lot of statistics that aren’t always good. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in New Mexico. I’m not accepting of that. I know we have the ability to change. You are making an impact and I’m so excited you are receiving another gold status,” Archibeque said.

Every year, more than 250,000 people experience a STEMI, the deadliest type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible. Mission: Lifeline® protocols include delivering education in STEMI identification; providing access to 12-lead ECGs which measure the electrical activity of the heart and can help determine if a heart attack has occurred; and developing protocols based on American Heart Association evidence-based guidelines.  

San Juan Regional Medical Center’s EMS Department follows these protocols to improve systems of care. In the field, paramedics identify STEMIs by interpreting signs of heart attack on the EKG. Being able to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients allows them to promptly notify San Juan Regional Medical Center and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel. Due to these diligent efforts, this is the third year in a row that San Juan Regional Medical Center’s EMS Department has received the Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award.   

“To see an accomplishment like that repeat itself, this is what we strive for,” said paramedic Gary Woolsey.
“You all are trendsetters,” Archibeque said. “Thank you for saving lives and making a difference.”