To which facility should all primary cardiac arrest patients be transported?

Transporting primary cardiac arrest patients to the closest approved STEMI facility, provided that the transport time is less than 20 minutes, ensures that the patient receives the most appropriate and specialized care promptly. STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) facilities are equipped with the necessary resources, including advanced cardiac care capabilities, specialized personnel, and interventions such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Rapid access to these specialized facilities increases the likelihood of a positive outcome for patients experiencing cardiac emergencies, as they can receive definitive treatment quickly, which is critical in cases of heart attacks. This practice aligns with protocols aimed at improving survival rates and minimizing complications related to cardiac events.

Transporting patients to a trauma center or a local emergency room might not provide the specialized cardiac care that a STEMI facility offers. Therefore, selecting the closest approved STEMI center when feasible is a vital practice in EMS protocols for optimizing patient care in cardiac emergencies.