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LOCAL NEWS
September 2011 ————————————————————————————————————————
Advance Technique Helps Patient Survive Heart Attack Jefferson Hills Area Ambulance Association Uses New Procedure By Paul Chasko
Olga Bernardi, 70, of Jefferson Hills visited with members of Jefferson Hills Area Ambulance Association (JHAAA) and representatives of Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) last month with her son Donald. The visit was to thank the emergency medical team that responded when she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at her home. JHAAA was dispatched to Bernardi’s home on June 19 and found her unconscious and with no pulse. The EMS crew immediately started CPR and advanced cardiac life support. They requested additional backup from JHAAA and the Jefferson Hills Police Department, which were invaluable in securing the scene and in patient extrication. The CPR effort restored nominal heartbeat and breathing, and Bernardi was prepared for transport to JRMC. Before leaving, Bernardi was placed in induced therapeutic hypothermia – a new nationally recognized treatment that has been shown to improve survival chances of patients having suffered an SCA. The statistics on SCA are sobering. The mortality rate for SCA patients is
A team of local heroes saved a Jefferson Hills resident’s life on June 19. See related article on page 38 Pictured are Robert Zirkle, PA-C/NREMT-paramedic; Olga Bernardi, patient; Glenn Pratt, paramedic; David Phillips, paramedic (front row); Joe Gubash, EMT; Richard Sullivan, MD, EMS Medical Director and Associate Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, Jefferson Regional Medical Center; Jason David, EMT; and Delmar Olson, EMS Manager, JRMC (back row).
currently 90%, and of those who survive only about 10% are able to leave the hospital without neurological damage caused by swelling of the brain. The hypothermic protocol greatly improves the patient’s chances of surviving with minimal neurological damage. The process involves infusing cold/chilled saline solution into the patient to reduce brain swelling to minimize/avoid neurological damage. Every JHAAA
Whitehall Apartments Hosts Neighborhood Appreciation Day By Charlotte Hopkins
As the staff at Whitehall Place Apartments, located on Parklane Drive in Whitehall, meets for their weekly team meetings, one of the biggest topics is "what can they do FOR their residents." One of the suggestions was to hold a Neighborhood Appreciation Day The staff of Whitehall Apartments offered breakfast to its residents for Neighborhood Appreciation Day. and pass out breakfast. They decided that bright and early Friday morning, July 16, would be perfect to make sure they reached residents on their way to work. They set up their breakfast stand along the main road, and as residents pulled up they and their children were given a healthy breakfast and drink. Kids were even given a small toy with their food! Melissa Wankulitz of Whitehall Place Apartments explained that they chose Friday because they know that it’s typically hectic for people. "Hopefully, the breakfast got them started to a good day," stated Wankulitz.
ambulance is now equipped with a special cooler that keeps the saline solution used in the induced hypothermia protocol chilled to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Paramedics begin the cooling process before and during transport and it is continued in the hospital emergency department and ICU. The process slows the heart rate, decreasing toxins and reduces swelling in the brain. JHAAA Assistant Chief Robert Gibson,
RN, NREMT/P states, “We’re giving patients a fighting chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest.” According to Richard Sullivan, MD, EMS Medical Director and Associate Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, JRMC, “Quick action by the first responders and the hospital’s emergency team in implementing the therapeutic hypothermia protocol en route to the hospital resulted in a positive outcome for Mrs. Bernardi.” He further explained, “The treatment is continued in the hospital with the body held in a mild hypothermic state between 90-93 degrees Fahrenheit, in an induced coma state for 24 hours and then slowly brought back up over an 8-12 hour period, lessening the chances of neurological complications.” Bernardi said, “I’m alive today because of the exceptional care provided by the Jefferson Hills EMS providers, the Jefferson Hills Police Department and the staff at the Jefferson Regional Medical Center.” Olga has returned to her normal lifestyle, which includes activities such as driving and visiting the casinos. (Thanks to the JHAAA and the Bernardi Family for sharing this story with our readers.)
Sisters’ Soup Take-Out Menu Offer Wedding, Chicken Noodle and Broccoli Take a break from cooking with some homemade soup from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God. The Sisters are relaunching their popular monthly Soup Take-Out on Wednesday, September 14. Choices include wedding, chicken noodle or broccoli soups for $5 a quart with 2 dinner rolls. Orders must be placed by Thursday, September 8 by calling 412-885-7232. Soup orders can be picked up on Wednesday, September 14 from 3-6 p.m. at the Sisters’ Motherhouse, located at 3603 McRoberts Road in the South Hills. The Sisters Craft Shoppe will also be open. Crafts offered include Steelers and baby items, holiday decorations and the famous hand crocheted “scrubbers.” All proceeds from soup and craft sales benefit the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God. The Sisters hold monthly take-outs from September to May. Their popular wedding soup is usually offered along with variations of chicken, broccoli or potato soups and the occasional wild card, such as haluski, vegetable lentil or chili. For more information, please call 412-8857232 or visit www.osfprov.org.