Clemson Fire and EMS, AnMed launch Cardiac Care system

Published: October 18, 2010

By Max Sewesky

CLEMSON — Clemson University Fire and Emergency Medical Services is implementing a new Cardiac Care system with the help of AnMed Health's LifeFlight program. Its aim is to make campus safer and to ensure the well-being of fans at home football games.

To activate the Cardiac Care system, Clemson Fire and EMS has installed 12 lead cardiac monitors in its ambulances. The staff also received additional training and implemented a new protocol so that suspected heart-attack patients receive definitive treatment in 90 minutes or less.

The LifeFlight program uses a helicopter to airlift patients to the AnMed Health Medical Center, providing life-saving care to victims by eliminating travel time. LifeFlight recently received a new, faster helicopter so patients can get to the health center even faster. LifeFlight also has agreed to fly in and stand by during Clemson’s home football games at no cost to the university.

“When someone is having a heart attack, time is muscle,” said Clemson Fire Chief William Daniel. “The faster we can get these patients to the most appropriate hospital, by ground or air, the more effectively we are able to give our patients the best care possible and best chance for recovery.”

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