ST. PETERS, Mo. — St. Charles County Ambulance District (SCCAD) paramedics had a “once-in-a-career experience” when they successfully revived two patients in cardiac arrest during the same shift, utilizing newly implemented protocols.
Paramedics Heather Briggs and Kelly Maull, along with Paramedic Battalion Chief Sara Stewart, responded to a call around 9 a.m. on Sept. 20. As the trio assessed the patient for reported seizure activity, he went into cardiac arrest. The team immediately initiated cardio-cerebral resuscitation protocols, and within minutes, the patient regained a pulse and was responsive.
Later in the day the same crew received another call – a witnessed cardiac arrest in a nearby subdivision. The three medics were at 46-year-old James Lampe’s side in just four minutes. Lampe’s wife Lana, a registered nurse, initiated CPR while the crew was en route.
The paramedics provided care on scene, and on the way to the hospital. The father of two began breathing on his own, regained a pulse and was able to follow commands.
“The chances of the same crew being called for two cardiac arrests in a single shift is extremely slim, but for both to have successful outcomes is absolutely unheard of,” said Briggs. “Sunday was a once-in-a-career experience – one that the three of us will never forget.”
Since June, SCCAD paramedics have utilized a new approach to cardiac arrest management called cardio-cerebral resuscitation (CCR). The protocols employ a back-to-basics approach, and have already seen tremendous results.
Since their implementation, SCCAD has achieved a survival rate of 39 percent – more than three times the national average of 9.5 percent.
SCCAD hopes to see survival rates in their community soar even higher with the implementation of Lifesaver CPR – a citizen training initiative aimed at getting citizens comfortable with providing chest compressions until paramedics arrive on scene.