Mahaska Health Partnership Celebrates Emergency Medical Services Week
Mahaska Health Partnership Emergency Services
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership is celebrating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, May 18-24.
EMS Week aims to bring together local communities and medical personnel to promote safety, and honor those who dedicate their lives to provide lifesaving services on the “front-lines” of medical care. MHP’s EMS staff is always ready to respond at a moment’s notice to any situation requiring medical assistance.
“Each day our EMS staff has the responsibility of responding to emergency situations quickly to perform high quality, lifesaving care,” said MHP Emergency Services Director Andrea Hagist. “They work closely with other first responders, fire, police and sheriff deputies to perform a vital public service.”
When you call 911, the dispatcher located at the Mahaska County Law Center, collects information to help determine what services need to be sent to assist you. The dispatcher then sends for appropriate medical help. A first responder or police officer may arrive first, followed by paramedics to provide immediate intervention for your medical needs.
“I am very proud of MHP’s EMS team and all of the pride they take in their work,” Hagist shared. “They are a great bunch of hardworking individuals who know how important each minute is in an emergent situation. The teamwork they display is crucial when responding to any situation. This week is a great way to give them the recognition they have earned.”
To further benefit the community, Hagist explained MHP is a designated Level III Trauma Center. This means when serious, life-threatening injuries occur, MHP has a trauma response team which must be immediately ready upon a patient’s arrival to assess, resuscitate, stabilize and either treat or transfer the patient.
“Our trauma care begins with the arrival of our highly-trained paramedics at the scene and continues once the patient arrives in our emergency department,” Hagist said. “MHP has two trauma surgeons, Dr. Tim Breon and Dr. Paul Riggs, who are available on-call in the event of a traumatic injury in our county.”
According to Hagist, MHP’s Emergency Department is staffed around the clock with dedicated emergency physicians, nurses and paramedics trained in trauma care. Additionally, staff from Surgical Services, Anesthesia, Radiology, Laboratory and Respiratory Therapists are integral to MHP’s trauma team.
“These professionals give very generously of their time, any time of day, to ensure the health and safety of our community. I am proud to work alongside them.” Hagist shared.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit www.mahaskahealth.org.
