Lombard paramedics recognized for outstanding care

LOMBARD, Illinois—Two Lombard firefighter/paramedics are being honored for their excellent patient care that resulted in a quick response on a recent cardiac patient.

Firefighter/paramedics Christopher Wilmot and Nathanael Noon responded to a call with a male patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of a serious cardiac condition.

They quickly recognized these symptoms, began treatment and transported the patient to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital utilizing their cardiac alert protocols. Their quick response and excellent patient care resulted in a door to balloon time (the time from when the patient entered the emergency department to the time his coronary artery was opened in the cardiac catheter lab) of just 27 minutes, reported Lombard Police Lieutenant Frank Gallione.

“Medics Wilmot and Noon demonstrated outstanding knowledge in recognizing serious cardiac symptoms and delivered excellent patient care that resulted in a positive outcome for this patient,” Gallione added. “The goal of emergency medical services is to decrease the time from onset of cardiac symptoms to the time of definitive care (door to balloon time), resulting in less damage to the heart muscle,” pointed out Gallione. “It should be noted that the national average for door to balloon time is more than 60 minutes,” he said. “At just a 27 minutes door to balloon time, this patient received outstanding cardiac care from the Lombard Fire Department medics and the Elmhurst Hospital staff,” said Gallione.

Elmhurst Hospital will recognize Wilmot and Noon at a special ceremony that will take place on March 16 at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 1, 50 E. St. Charles Road.

Note: The original call that the Lombard Fire Department responded to was on February 9, 2012 at approximately 8:30 a.m.