By Patrick Varine
Tribune-Review
MURRYSVILLE, Pa. — When Murrysville Councilman Tony Spadaro realized that his wife Donna was having a heart attack in January, he knew exactly what to do.
Spadaro called 9-1-1, who dispatched Murrysville Medic One staff that arrived at his door in less than six minutes. But he also started performing CPR.
“CPR was in progress when EMS arrived, and that’s a piece of information that all of the public needs to understand,” said Jeffrey Wess, EMS program coordinator at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville.
Donna Spadaro had no pulse when Medic One officials arrived. But thanks to her husband’s quick thinking, EMTs were able to administer a defibrillator shock and bring back her heartbeat.
Wess presented Medic One employees and Spadaro with “Cardiac Arrest Save” memorial coins in recognition of the efforts that saved Donna’s life.
Wess said everyone should try and get certified to perform CPR, and stressed how much it can contribute to a successful outcome in a case like this.
“The fact that perfusion was being provided while her heart wasn’t beating made a huge difference throughout the progression of the call,” he said.
In addition to being lauded by Forbes officials, Medic One will also be presented with the American Heart Association’s EMS Gold Plus Award, certification that has only been achieved by 1 percent of agencies in the country.
The certification is given to EMS agencies that have met the association’s benchmarks for treating patients who have experienced a heart attack.
“This award goes to agencies that meet these benchmarks year after year,” Wess said. “And the thing that makes it more difficult is they keep moving the goal line little by little. And Medic One has been excellent in achieving them.”
Spadaro downplayed his role in the situation, and said he was grateful to have a service like Medic One in Murrysville.
“I just can’t thank you guys enough,” Spadaro said. “Nobody realizes what you do.”
Copyright 2017 Tribune-Review