Living proof: King County's Emergency Medical Services system is world class

KING COUNTY, WA -- King County's Emergency Medical Services/Medic One system continues to be a worldwide leader in cardiac arrest survival with an astounding survival rate of 49 percent, compared to rates of 5-10 percent in many major urban areas. The EMS 2011 Annual Report, released today, highlights this and other major activities, ongoing projects and new initiatives in the EMS system.

"We are fortunate in King County to have one of the most innovative and effective Emergency Medical Services systems anywhere," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "The response that goes into every 911 call reflects extraordinary expertise and teamwork among fire departments, paramedic providers, dispatch centers, physicians, hospitals and public health workers."

In 2010, the EMS system responded to a total of 210,719 calls to 911, 47,012 of which were for advanced life support. The average medic unit response time remained steady at 7.6 minutes.

"The success our EMS system has achieved in providing excellent, standardized services countywide is quite remarkable," said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health -- Seattle & King County. "Patient survival from cardiac arrest is one of the most critical measures of success for any EMS system, and survival rates in King County make our system the gold standard."

In addition to its cardiac arrest survival rate, the EMS system has a number of other cutting edge programs and projects that demonstrate why King County is a national EMS leader, including:

• The Resuscitation Academy, a three-day training program that presents the basics of resuscitation science and an in-depth overview of the systems in Seattle and King County to EMS managers from around the country.
• CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training for King County residents. Studies show that patients who receive early CPR and early defibrillation have a significantly improved chance of survival from cardiac arrest. In 2010, the King County Student CPR/AED program trained local 17,792 students to perform CPR and use an AED.
• Senior fall prevention programs that address falls among seniors, a common and preventable occurrence that accounts for a high proportion of injuries to the elderly. Programs incorporate practical and effective methods to address a combination of risk factors, focusing on exercise and strength building, medication management, and on-scene counseling to elderly residents who have fallen in their homes.

In addition to these activities, 2011 marks the formal kick-off for planning for the next Medic One/EMS levy period, as the current levy expires on Dec. 31, 2013. The EMS Advisory Task Force will convene this fall to develop and endorse programmatic and financial recommendations to fund the EMS system from 2014-2019

The full EMS 2011 Annual Report is available at www.kingcounty.gov/health/ems.