Memo - EMS Blood Draws for SSCH

Medical Director Directive

TO: All SCEMS Providers including Maitland and Winter Park SUBJ: EMS Blood Draws DATE: 7 MAR 13

We are partnering with South Seminole Community Hospital in an initiative aimed to reduce the door to intervention time of specific emergency medical conditions. As you are aware, time is muscle and brain tissue, directly relating to improved outcomes on certain patient populations. Through an ongoing quality improvement process it was identified that the greatest delay in the initiation of life-saving interventions is the time it takes to process the blood for initial analysis and results.

Beginning April 1, 2013 providers are asked to collect baseline blood samples for laboratory studies whenever any of the following conditions are considered as the primary impression for the patient:

• STEMI
• Cardiac Alert
• Stroke/CVA
• Sepsis

During the month of March, South Seminole Hospital will be providing the necessary supplies for blood draws in a kit. After using a kit the hospital staff will replace the supplies.

Whenever the blood samples are obtained, chain of custody is of utmost importance. Tubes must be labeled with patient’s last name, first name, date of birth and time blood was drawn. If unable to complete this step keep the tubes in your possession and during patient report and hand-off to the receiving nurse. At this point an identification process and labeling using the hospital’s labels must be completed at patient’s BEDSIDE. The staff at SSCH can guide you through this process. This is a great patient centered initiative aimed at improving outcomes. Your assistance is certainly appreciated.

If you have any questions please contact your Agency’s EMS Chief or my office.

As always . . . keep up the great work!!

Sincerely, Todd M. Husty, D.O., F.A.C.E.P.