American Heart Association applauds introduction of legislation to strengthen emergency medical services

American Heart Association
Friday, 15 March 2002

Legislation introduced in the Senate yesterday to streamline coordination between the federal agencies that support community-based emergency medical services (EMS) also will help reduce the number of deaths from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, according to the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association commends Senators Russ Feingold, D-Wisc, and Susan Collins, R- Maine, for introducing the Emergency Medical Services Support Act of 2002. The legislation will provide a forum for the many federal agencies currently providing support for local EMS to share information and best practices.

"Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim more than 960,000 lives each year. That is nearly as many as the next seven leading causes of death combined," said American Heart Association President David Faxon, M.D. "Because many of these deaths result from cardiovascular emergencies, better federal prioritization and coordination of federal emergency care initiatives would help our efforts to lower this staggering number."

Currently, five federal agencies provide direct technical assistance and funding to state and local EMS systems. A report released by the General Accounting Office last year cited the need to increase coordination between these agencies.

"The American Heart Association is committed to improving what we call the 'chain of survival' for both heart and stroke emergencies," said Faxon. He explained that the chain is a series of actions that, in the case of sudden cardiac arrest, includes an immediate call to 9-1-1, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advanced medical care. In the case of a stroke, the chain includes an immediate call to 9-1-1, early assessment and treatment by EMS, rapid EMS transport, and immediate advanced treatment in a hospital. It is evident, according to Faxon, that EMS is a critical link in the chain. This legislation will help ensure that the chain can be performed unbroken."

Faxon continued, "We thank Senators Feingold and Collins for their continued support in strengthening the 'chain of survival'. They have long been advocates for the fight against heart disease and stroke. We look forward to working with them to ensure passage of this important measure."

For more information, or to contact American Heart Association, see their website at: www.americanheart.org