When STEMI alerts come in, it is a fast, coordinated response from multiple teams to get a critically ill patient to the Cath Lab quickly to maximize the potential of a positive outcome. When people say time is tissue - it's the truth - every second countsand it can mean life or death for some of our patients.
In June, our organization had an especially busy evening. We had back-to-back STEMI alerts coming through our Emergency Department. In fact, the first patient was still on the table when the second alert came through. The Cath Lab team knew it was going to be tight and were nervous we'd miss the important "Door 2 Balloon" time - which is not only a regulatory requirement but also an import indicator that we are doing what's best for our patients in distress.
When the Unit charge nurse, Mike McCarroll, heard that second alert, he worked closely with the Cath Lab team to do everything possible to ensure we provided the best care for each patient. Mike and a team showed up in the Lab, helped get the first patient off the table, took bedside report, and helped clear the room for the next patient. Because of his help and leadership, the second patient was able to be accepted into the Lab in a timely fashion and meet the all-important, "Door 2 Balloon" time.
Most impressive is this isn't a one-off event. Multiple times now the night crew on this unit has worked with the on-call Lab staff to assure that patients coming into the Lab are well cared for and seen promptly to not only meet metrics but to also receive the exceptional care everyone deserves, regardless of the time of day.