Equipment

Lifepak Deibrillators

Scotland County EMS has 8 Medtronic Physio-Control Lifepak 15 defibrillators. These machines come ready to monitor, defibrillate, or pace patients experiencing chest pain or cardiac events.The units can also be used in the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) mode which has the capability to tell its operator when to shock, when to administer CPR, and when to check for a pulse.

Equipment Upgrade

Scotland County EMS purchased equipment that will allow the transmission of 12 lead data obtained by the Lifepak 15 be sent directly to Scotland Memorial Hospital's Emergency Department as well as FirstHealth Moore Regional from the scene of a cardiac event. If it is determined that the patient is having a "STEMI" or ST elevated Myocardial Infarction, the patient will be transported directly to the Cath Lab at FirstHealth Moore Regional. The ability to transmit the patient's 12-Lead EKG directly to the receiving physician at FirstHealth Moore Regional prior to the patient's arrival will give the receiving physician a better understanding of the patient condition.

The RACE Program

Scotland County EMS is now actively participating in the RACE program with Firsthealth Moore Regional. This program was initiated in North Carolina to improved the patient outcome for individuals who experience a blood vessel blockage within the heart that could result in heart muscle damage and possible death. RACE was originally an acronym for Re-perfusion of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Carolina Emergency Departments. It has been modified to Regional Approach to Cardiovascular Emergencies to reflect a better picture of the overall mission of the program.

From an EMS perspective, the RACE program allows paramedics in the field to identify and transport a patient, who meets the RACE criteria, directly to a medical facility that has the capability to treat the patient for the blockage immediately, thereby reducing the potential damage to the heart and lessening the threat of the patient's death. Scotland County EMS now transports patients that meet the STEMI protocol within the RACE program criteria directly to the Reid Heart Center, which is part of FirstHealth system at Moore Regional Hospital in PineHurst, N.C., and the nearest facility of it's kind to Scotland County. The program has provided a vast improvement in timely delivery of care to cardiovascular patients.