Implementation of a Novel Prehospital Clinical Decision Tool and ECG Transmission for STEMI Significantly Reduces Door-to-Balloon Time and Sex-Based Disparities.

Background: An important method employed to reduce door to balloon time (DTBT) for ST segment elevation Myocardial Infarctions (STEMIs) is a prehospital MI alert. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the effects of an educational intervention using a novel decision support method of STEMI notification and prehospital electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission on DTBT.

Methods: An ongoing database (April 4, 2000 - present) is maintained to track STEMI alerts.

"House Calls" by Mobile Integrated Health Paramedics for Patients with Heart Failure: A Feasibility Study.

Early readmissions following hospital discharge for heart failure (HF) remain a major concern. Among the various strategies designed to reduce readmissions, home evaluations have been observed to have a favorable impact. We assessed the feasibility of integrating community paramedics into the outpatient management of HF patients.