Makkah: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Makkah Region has continued implementing specialized emergency medical pathways for cases of heart attacks, strokes, and severe injuries, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve survival rates, reduce complications and fatalities, and enhance the quality of emergency medical services by expediting patient transfer to specialized care centers.
According to Saudi Press Agency, among the most prominent of these is the STEMI pathway for heart attacks, which allows patients to be transferred directly to a cardiac catheterization center without passing through emergency departments. This is done after an on-site evaluation using an ECG device and diagnosis confirmation in coordination with medical control, enabling immediate and decisive treatment within minutes.
The stroke pathway is activated for patients exhibiting acute stroke symptoms. Paramedic teams use the FAST-ED scale to assess the patient's condition in the field, and the patient is then transferred directly to the CT scan department in designated hospitals, allowing for rapid medical intervention.
The trauma pathway has also been activated to speed up the handling of critical injuries, such as those resulting from traffic accidents or falls from heights. Patients are taken directly to high-efficiency referral hospitals without delay, in line with approved medical protocols for dealing with serious trauma.
The authority's regional branch noted these pathways have directly contributed to reducing the time it takes to reach specialized treatment centers, increasing recovery rates, and lowering disability and mortality rates. They have also enhanced coordination between emergency teams and healthcare facilities to ensure optimal response to urgent cases.
The authority urged the public to report symptoms of heart attacks, strokes, or severe injuries immediately via the unified number (997) or the ASAFNE app, and to avoid transporting patients by private means. It also emphasized the need to give way to ambulances to ensure the timely delivery of emergency medical services.