Nineteen cardiac arrest survivors have been reunited with the NSW Ambulance paramedics and doctors who helped save their lives, celebrating the extraordinary work of the PRECARE critical care medical team and the ongoing PRECARE trial.
At a special event at the NSW Ambulance State Operations Centre in Sydney Olympic Park, survivors were presented with 'Survivor Awards' by the PRECARE team, recognising their remarkable journeys and the life-saving care they received.
Each of these patients were treated by the PRECARE team, capable of advanced interventions directly at the scene of a cardiac arrest, including four patients who were put on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), otherwise known as heart-lung bypass.
The PRECARE research study, now approaching its second anniversary, is a world-first model of care that brings hospital-level critical care to patients in the community.
The project enables NSW Ambulance doctors and critical care paramedics to deliver ECMO and other advanced interventions, right at the scene of a cardiac arrest, allowing more patients to receive this life-saving therapy in significantly shorter time frames.
Preliminary results show survival rates for patients treated with mobile ECMO is 33 per cent higher than conventional CPR.
The survival rate for patients receiving conventional CPR is 12.7 per cent, according to NSW Ambulance's latest Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Registry.
George Salem is one of the cardiac arrest survivors who was reunited with the PRECARE team and NSW Ambulance paramedics today. Three months ago, George suffered a cardiac arrest at home. Thanks to the advanced care provided by the PRECARE team, including ECMO treatment, George survived and is deeply thankful for this life-saving intervention.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"The NSW Ambulance PRECARE trial is essentially bringing the hospital directly to the patient. By delivering advanced treatments like ECMO at the scene, they are giving people the best possible chance of survival-often in record time.
"To see these cardiac arrest survivors come together and celebrate with the paramedics and doctors who treated them is really moving and highlights the massive impact of this world leading trial."
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:
"These reunions highlight the importance of innovation in pre-hospital care and the dedication of our critical care paramedics and doctors. We're proud to be leading the way in cardiac arrest treatment.
"While the PRECARE trial is still in its early stages, the outcomes we're seeing are truly remarkable. The combination of rapid response, advanced clinical skills and teamwork is making a real difference for patients."
Quotes attributable to cardiac arrest survivor, George Salem:
"I told my wife to call an ambulance because I didn't feel well, I thought it was just an anxiety attack. I don't remember anything after that.
"There's nothing I can say that truly justifies what the PRECARE team, the paramedics, and the staff at Westmead Hospital did for me. It's a miracle. The PRECARE team started the ECMO procedure right there in my living room which helped saved my life.
"They expected me to be in hospital for months, but now, just three months later, I'm out, walking, and feeling better every day. I'm so grateful."
