HeartRescue Partners
North Carolina
In North Carolina, the RACE CARS program (Regional Approach to Cardiovascular Emergencies Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation System) makes up the largest statewide system of emergency cardiovascular care, coordinating 122 hospitals and 540 EMS agencies to rapidly diagnose and provide emergency treatment for heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest. Part of this strategy includes community education and reducing disparities in SCA treatment.
Key Strengths
- North Carolina has the largest statewide system of emergency cardiovascular care, coordinating hospitals and EMS agencies across the state to rapidly diagnose and provide emergency treatment for heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest.
- Important components of the strategy include community education initiatives and statewide partnerships with youth and school organizations.
- The organization is working to reduce disparities in SCA treatment based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location and gender.
Key Results to Date
- Actively recruiting EMS agencies across the state: 12 collecting OHCA data, 20 in process.
- Developed the North Carolina College of Resuscitation – piloted at EM Today and in the process of developing a DVD series.
- Developed a consensus document for all hospitals providing specialized cardiac arrest care regarding post-arrest care including a common approach to hypothermia, coronary angiography, and neurologic assessment.
- Held eight regional leadership meetings to build consensus around how OHCA patients will be treated in the prehospital and hospital settings.
- Trained more than 8,000 students in county-wide school-based CPR/AED programs.
Contact
Lisa Monk RACE CARS State Project Leader
Websites:
• www.nccacc.org
• www.wakegov.com/ems
• www.ncems.org
The Team
James G. Jollis, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Professor of Medicine and Radiology
Duke University
Christopher Granger, M.D.
Director, Cardiac Care Unit
Duke University Medical Center
Brent Meyers, M.D.
Director
Wake County Department of Emergency Medical Services
Greg Mears, M.D.
Associate Professor
Director of Innovation
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Charles B. Cairns, M.D., FACEP, FAHA
Professor and Chair
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of North Carolina
Lisa Monk MSN, RN, CPHQ
RACE CARS State Project Leader
Clark Tyson MS, NREMT-P
RACE CARS CARES Coordinator