The UVA Health System is working to decrease the time for diagnosing and treating heart attacks.
According to HealthCanal.com, UVA spent over $20,000 on a system that would allow electrocardiograms (ECGs)—machines that measure the heart’s electrical activity—to transmit information to local hospitals electronically. This quick communication allows doctors to read ECG information and begin treatment while patients are en route to the hospital, instead of waiting to begin when medical transport arrives. Dr. David R. Burt, a UVA specialist in emergency medicine, told HealthCanal.com every 30-minute reduction in treatment time increases survival rate by 7.5 percent.
Currently, only 25 percent of area squads are able to electronically transmit ECGs, but every squad is expected to be capable beginning in December. Previously, Madison County rescue squads would send supervisors to fax ECG results from the dispatch center or from convenience stores.