Wyandotte resident benefits from early EKG transmission
John Kirby's day started out just like any other Saturday in January, but soon he knew he felt sick. It had been three years since his last heart attack, but he knew something just wasn't right after spending time with his son. He felt short of breath. And then he felt the elephant on his chest.
Kirby knew immediately he was having another heart attack.
His wife, Sue, called 911, and Wyandotte Fire Department was there within minutes to take him to Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital's Emergency Department, just blocks away from his home.
He was loaded in the ambulance and ready to go to the emergency department. While the paramedics were preparing him for transport they relayed Kirby's EKG to the physicians in the emergency room, to diagnose his heart attack before he even arrived.
When Kirby arrived in the ER, he was surprised to find more than a dozen doctors, nurses and hospital staff waiting for him and they knew exactly what his condition was because the EKG had been relayed from the scene. After a second EKG to confirm, Kirby was immediately taken to the cardiac catherization lab where Dr. Mustafa Hashem and the team worked to place stents around the original stent from his first heart attack in 2002.
This technology, the 12-Lead monitor in the ambulance, was provided to the Wyandotte Fire Department through the "Heart of Downriver" - a group of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who believe relaying EKG information quicker during a heart attack saves the heart muscle from being damaged.
Wyandotte Fire Chief Michael MacDonald said this upgrade in technology was the most important upgrade for his department since gaining Advanced Life Support status in 2000.
Technology and teamwork Kirby thinks this advance in technology saved his life.
"It was incredible," he said. "That's the only word I can use. They did the EKG and got me there and before I knew it, I was in the cath lab and out of pain."
Kirby admits he was more than a little scared when the ambulance didn't leave right away. In fact, he was thinking to himself "I could have walked there."
His wife was even more scared, thinking the worst while she waited in the family vehicle to drive to the emergency room.
But after the EKG results were relayed, Kirby said he was greeted in the emergency department like he was a celebrity.
"I've never seen that many people waiting for me," he said. "It was impressive and calmed me down. They already knew what was wrong with me and were going to take care of it."
Not only were the staff ready and waiting, but some staff remembered him.
"They are so caring," Kirby said. "The nursing staff is so phenomenal there. It's not that I'm just a person coming in, I'm a human they remember. People who had nothing to do with my case checked on me - that group in the cath lab are awesome."
Dr. Thomas McKeown, medical director of the Emergency Department said this equipment allows the ER staff, doctors, cardiologists and cath lab staff to better prepare and make early decisions on how to treat a heart attack.
"We are continually improving the standard of care through different communication methods," said Dr. Mustafa Hashem, interventional cardiologist and Henry Ford Wyandotte's cath lab director.
Some physicians, such as Dr. Hashem, are even able to read EKGs over their cell phones for faster diagnosis, instead of waiting to get home to look at results on the computer.
"Time is heart muscle" All parties agree, from the fire station - Sgt. Jeff Prisza and Firefighter Jeff Stehlik - to the ER staff, physicians, cardiac cath lab, cardiac care nursing unit and cardiac rehab program, a faster response means a better outcome for the patient.
Quick, coordinated care which began with Kirby's recognition of symptoms, was the first step in the road to recovery.
"The public needs to learn the signs of a heart attack - besides the classic signs (such as arm, chest and gastric pain) - because time is heart muscle, and the longer you wait the more muscle damage there will be," Dr. Hashem said. Other signs of heart attack are???
"In Mr. Kirby's case, the presence of the EMS relaying the EKG on the spot helped out team get his arteries open faster. This is a great tool for both health care providers and heart attack patients."
Two notches on the belt better Kirby is now a different man. He's made major lifestyle changes such as losing nearly 30 pounds, quitting smoking, exercising and really pushing himself to get better. He participated three times a week in Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital's cardiac rehabilitation program, passing his stress test and was recently cleared to go back to work.
"I feel like a million bucks, like I've never had a heart attack," Kirby said. "My back problems that I had before have even subsided and I've lost enough weight to move my belt buckle two notches."
Today, Kirby is enjoying his new lease on life with his wife, six adult children and two grandchildren. They are looking forward to spending many more Father's Days together.
