Definition
STEMI Scene Time: This is a 90th percentile measure of the number of minutes that EMS remains on scene with a STEMI patient. The STEMI Scene Time is the time interval that begins when EMS arrives at the patient’s location until the ambulance departs to the hospital with the patient who is having an S-T Elevation Myocardial Infarction, a serious form of a heart attack. To be included in this measure, EMS medics must identify an S-T Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. The American Heart Association defines a STEMI Heart Attack as follows, “A severe heart attack caused by a prolonged period of blocked blood supply that affects a large area of the heart. These attacks carry a substantial risk of death and disability and call for a quick response by many individuals and systems.” EMS personnel are trained to identify the characteristics of a STEMI heart attack by looking for an elevated S-T segment on the patient’s ECG.
The STEMI scene time goal is 15 minutes or less 90% of the time. This data does not include incidents where scene delay is beyond the control of the Medics. One example is difficulty accessing the patient.
Compliance with 15 Minute Standard (percent of patient contacts)
We have reported a version of this measure in the past, looking at the percentage of STEMI Alerts that meet scene interval standards. Our goal is to meet the 15 minute standard for 90 percent of all STEMI Alerts. We use this version to report performance at the individual provider level as well as for the department as a whole.
This indicator includes one significant variation from the OMD version: unavoidable delays are not excluded from the measure. Instead, we measure based on how our crews provide appropriate care for the individual patient's situation. So, if a patient has a delay on scene that could not be controlled by the crew, it is included as meeting the goal for the patient, along with patients who have a scene interval less than 15 minutes.
Why is this important?
Patients with STEMI, a serious form of a Heart Attack, require rapid treatment at a hospital with a catheterization lab that is staffed. It is vital that we provide rapid care and transport for patients with STEMI in order to expedite the treatment at the hospital as much as possible. This measure shows our compliance with the goal.
NOTE: We recently reviewed and updated our clinical audit processes. As part of the update, we adjusted data filters to ensure consistent measurement across the various clinical indicators we report. These changes may result in a small amount of variation from previously reported results.
This measure relates to our Strategic Goals for Service and Finance- S1, S2, S3, F2, and F3:
S1: To be an organization that strives to improve the lives of people in our community.
S2: To have a service delivery model that best serves the needs of our community.
S3: To be an organization that puts service before self.
F2: To be an organization that provides value to the community.
F3: To provide quality cost efficient service to the community.
Performance Measure Definition (PDF)
Click here to view our strategic goals (PDF)