When a medical emergency happens, every minute counts. West Georgia Ambulance is expanding the advanced care patients receive before they ever reach the hospital through innovative clinical protocols designed to improve outcomes during some of the most time-sensitive medical emergencies.

West Georgia Ambulance is among the first emergency medical services (EMS) providers in the region to implement a comprehensive prehospital sepsis program to help patients receive critical treatment sooner. 

West Georgia Ambulance has also made investments in evidence-based cardiac arrest care that have contributed to a 119% increase over the last year in patients whose hearts begin beating again before arriving at the hospital.

Together, these initiatives reflect West Georgia Ambulance's commitment to continually evaluating medical evidence, investing in advanced clinical education and implementing proven practices that improve patient outcomes.

"Our mission is to ensure every patient receives the highest level of emergency medical care possible from the moment our crews arrive," said Timothy Thomas, DO, board-certified emergency physician and medical director for West Georgia Ambulance. "Programs like our prehospital sepsis initiative and our continued focus on cardiac arrest resuscitation demonstrate our commitment to bringing evidence-based medicine directly to the communities we serve."

Bringing advanced sepsis care to the patient

Sepsis is the body's overwhelming response to an infection and can quickly become life-threatening if it is not recognized and treated early. Prompt treatment is one of the most important factors in improving a patient's chance of survival.

Traditionally, many of the first treatments for sepsis did not begin until a patient arrived at the emergency department. West Georgia Ambulance is changing that by enabling specially trained paramedics to recognize sepsis sooner and begin critical care while patients are still in the ambulance.

Using advanced screening tools, paramedics can identify patients with suspected sepsis earlier and begin treatment before reaching the hospital. Depending on a patient's condition, crews can perform blood testing, collect blood cultures before administering antibiotics when appropriate, begin intravenous (IV) antibiotics and fluids, manage the effects of septic shock and notify the receiving hospital so emergency department teams are prepared before the patient arrives.

By shortening the time between recognizing sepsis and starting treatment, these protocols help give patients a better chance at recovery while creating a smoother transition from EMS to hospital care.

Improving survival after cardiac arrest

West Georgia Ambulance has also strengthened its approach to treating patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest through ongoing provider education, advanced resuscitation techniques and continuous quality improvement.

Those efforts include high-performance cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), advanced airway management when appropriate and comprehensive review of every cardiac arrest response to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure crews are using the latest evidence-based practices.

One of the most important measures of successful resuscitation is return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), which occurs when a sustained, natural heartbeat and blood circulation return after cardiac arrest. The 119% increase in ROSC over the last year reflects the impact of West Georgia Ambulance’s evidence-based approach to cardiac arrest care, giving more patients the opportunity to receive lifesaving treatment at the hospital and continue their recovery.

"Every protocol we develop, and every training session we conduct, is centered on one objective — improving patient outcomes," said Allen Bedford, EMS training coordinator for West Georgia Ambulance. "Seeing measurable improvements in cardiac arrest resuscitation while simultaneously launching an advanced prehospital sepsis program reflects the dedication and professionalism of our paramedics, EMTs and the entire clinical team."

A commitment to continuous improvement

The new sepsis program and ongoing cardiac arrest initiatives are part of West Georgia Ambulance's broader commitment to delivering evidence-based emergency medical care.

Through continued investment in clinical education, physician medical oversight, advanced treatment protocols and collaboration with Tanner Health and regional healthcare partners, West Georgia Ambulance continually evaluates emerging research and incorporates proven practices into patient care.

"Our responsibility is to never stop looking for ways to improve," said Amy Jerome, director of operations for West Georgia Ambulance. "When evidence shows we can deliver better care or improve a patient's chance of survival, we want those advances reaching our patients as quickly as possible."

Whether responding to a patient with a life-threatening infection or someone in cardiac arrest, West Georgia Ambulance's goal is the same: to begin lifesaving care as quickly as possible and give every patient the best possible chance for recovery.
West Georgia Ambulance provides emergency medical services throughout Carroll County, responding to thousands of emergency calls each year. By combining advanced prehospital medicine with a culture of continuous quality improvement, the service continues to strengthen emergency care for the communities it serves.

Learn more about West Georgia Ambulance, its services and its commitment to exceptional patient care at WestGeorgiaAmbulance.com.