FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County’s Emergency Medical Services Division of Public Safety and the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center developed the STEMI program to transmit electrocardiograms immediately to the emergency room.
The system, which provides an early warning to save patients under cardiac arrest, has received widespread attention.
The National Association of Counties granted Okaloosa County the 2013 Achievement Award in recognition of the program and "hard work yielding positive results for Okaloosa County," as stated in the letter.
"This is another great example where we have worked with others in the community to increase public safety for our residents," stated Chairman Don Amunds, Okaloosa County Commissioner. "Fort Walton Beach Medical Center reached out to us as a routine transporter of cardiac patients, which resulted in dramatic patient improvement and successful outcomes, due in large part to the team commitment for better patient care," stated Public Safety Director Dino Villani.
Since STEMI's inception, three other hospitals, two in Okaloosa, began using it.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa earns National Association of Counties Achievement Award