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catheterization labs, a nd Emergency S er v ic e s a nd t he c a r d iolo g y t e a m hold monthly joint meetings to review patient cases. From the time the ambulance gets to a patient, EMS can transmit an EKG to the ED. The ED and a cardiologist review the status of the patient prior to arrival. "Coordination of care happens well before the patient even arrives in the ED, which can save precious minutes — and save lives," Dr. Battaglia adds. ED physicia ns ca n ca l l t he ca rdi- olog ists' cel lphones when they have questions, and the cardiologists come to the ED frequently throughout the day to review cases with the teams. There is also a monthly quality control meeting focusing on the hospital's STEMI patients. PARTNERS IN CARE: A CRUCIAL ROLE RECOGNIZED S a r a h J e r j e n , a p a r a m e d i c w i t h Faye t t e v i l le F i r e & E M S , G r e a t er Ba ldwinsville Ambulance Corps and American Medical Response, appreciates how the providers at Crouse recognize the importance of EMS, especially in critical calls for stroke and cardiac issues. "Every hospital gets a pre-arrival noti- fication, but at Crouse, I feel confident calling ahead, not only for neurology and catheterization lab calls, but just to get the opinion of a doctor," Jerjen says. "I know that the next time I go there, I can find that same doctor or physician assistant, talk to him or her about it, and they'll remember what I said and take time to explain the case to me. Crouse sees us as critical partners in the care of our patients. That level of attention and interest does not happen in every ED." Crouse also offers classes that are not only open to physicians, PAs and nurses, but EMS providers as well, providing opportunities for EMS to enhance skills and knowledge. EMS and Emergency Services are fully integrated with the neurosciences team for stroke care. "Not every person who comes in exhibit- ing stroke symptoms is having a stroke," Dr. Padalino says. "The ideal situation is to work together to find the best way to identify the patients who are having true strokes as fast as possible so the most appropriate treatment can be administered." A FEEDBACK LOOP Jerjen is thankful that everyone at Crouse recognizes EMS providers and appreci- ates and respects their role. " That does not go unnoticed," Jerjen says. A not her way pro - viders who work with Crouse constantly learn and improve is through feedback about stroke p a t i e n t o u t c o m e s . Oksana Kaskov, Crouse Neuroscience Institute Stroke Coordinator, ma kes posters high- lighting their success s t or i e s t o a l l E M S providers who come into the ED, as well as physicians and nurses, emphasizing the critical role EMS plays in the delivery of life-saving care. The posters include photos of the patient's imaging, showing pre- and post-intervention for a clot and showing post-reperfusion imaging. "It creates a good rapport between EMS and the physicians, which ultimately ben- efits the patients at Crouse," Jerjen says. Patients who came to the hospital in an ambulance with severe, potentially life- altering deficits, and who are able to walk out of the hospital after treatment,are certainly rewarding cases of which the entire collaborative team can be proud. ENHANCED COMMUNICATION THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Crouse is one of only five in the state with access to the cloud-based Viz.ai software. This app can be used on a smartphone and provides communication that allows for sharing of CT images with the neuroscience " Healthcare workers all share a mission, and that is to do the best we can for patients and to help alleviate suffering. Whether it's this pandemic or the opioid crisis, whatever it is, we'll always be here to support each other and our community." — DAVID MASON, MD, FACEP, MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND CHIEF OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR POMEROY EMERGENCY SERVICES Registered nurses Chris Addario (left) and Patty Moses have 65 years of emergency services experience between them and two more reasons why people say "Take me to Crouse." 0 8❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R S T O R Y