Regional 12-Lead EKG Transmission Program

The STRAC Regional Cardiac Systems Committee, in conjunction with the STRAC Regional Emergency Department Operations Committee, has worked over the past year to identify a platform for transmitting EKG’s from EMS to the Emergency Department in a timely and consistent matter for Heart Alert patients. After reviewing and trialing several products on the market, these committees brought the task in house, developing the 12-Lead EKG Transmission Tool, utilizing MEDCOM as the hub of the project.

Once EMS identifies the STEMI patient, the Paramedic takes a picture of the 12-lead EKG, then sends the image via text to MEDCOM with the agency name, unit number, and name of the receiving PCI Center (Example: SAFD M31 to UHS). MEDCOM then forwards the image and text information to the receiving PCI Center Emergency Department. The ER’s have been set up with an iPad as a receiving station, with the capability to forward the image to Cardiology. No PHI data or images, eliminating HIPAA concerns. This is a win-win for our region: