Delay in Cardiac Arrest Treatment
Time is of the essence during a heart attack. The sooner a patient gets treatment, the better the chance of survival and of saving heart tissue from harm.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says, “Acting fast, by calling 9–1–1 at the first symptoms of a heart attack, can save your life. Medical personnel can begin diagnosis and treatment even before you get to the hospital.”
The National Institute of Health agency explains that doctors can promptly begin treatment once diagnosis is confirmed to restore the blood flow to the heart.
When a cog in the system falls short, your life is put in jeopardy. First, the dispatcher is tasked with sending an ambulance to you right away. Then, the emergency medical technician (EMT) is responsible for starting lifesaving measures to keep the blood flowing into your heart. Whether you arrive by ambulance or on your own, emergency room staff is responsible for promptly delivering care. As a heart attack victim, you should be a first priority on the hospital’s triage, which is the system by which hospitals are supposed to determine which patients need to be helped first in a busy emergency room.
If a medical professional or institution dropped the ball at any of these stages, you deserve compensation for the harm to your health.