As the Director of Emergency Services at Southside Regional Medical Center, I would also like to recommend that "STEMI" be added to the list of critical,time sensitive conditions that would require EMS agencies to follow specialty care hospital triage plans.

There is significant evidence presented by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology that states that patients with evidence of an ST-Segment elevation MI (STEMI) are best served by immediate treatment in facilities that are equipped to perform interventional cardiology. There have been significant strides by these types of facilities to improve their door to balloon times as well as their first medical encounter to balloon times. They work hand in hand with EMS to ensure that the patients get the best possible care.