The American Heart Association (AHA) announced a new initiative to harness technology to strengthen emergency response for cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke. Supported by T-Mobile, the initiative aims to identify and close critical gaps in communication and technology use among dispatch, EMS crews, and receiving hospitals. The announcement coincides with National EMS Week.
According to the AHA, as mobile technologies like telehealth platforms and mobile stroke units transform emergency response, gaps in systems of care can arise, jeopardizing patient outcomes. The initiative will convene EMS agency leadership, hospital executives, and public health partners in 13 cities to produce recommendations for improving emergency communication processes. The cities include Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.
The new initiative will be integrated into the AHA's Mission: Lifeline® EMS program, which engages over 1,000 EMS agencies. It is part of the AHA's Nation of Lifesavers movement, aiming to double survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.
Dr. Kacey Kronenfeld, volunteer co-chair of the AHA's EMS Task Force, emphasized the importance of reliable communication. "When communication breaks down in the chain of survival, people die," she said. "This initiative translates our national mission into market-level action - working alongside EMS leaders to improve care in real communities."
The AHA will host regional system of care forums in each of the 13 target markets, generating insights that will feed into national learning and improvement strategies. Annual national roundtables, co-hosted by the AHA and T-Mobile, will bring together technology leaders from EMS agencies to shape the future of emergency communication systems.
Rod Cruz, vice president of growth and emerging businesses at T-Mobile, stated, "Connectivity saves lives - and that's not just a tagline for us. Supporting the American Heart Association in improving how EMS teams, dispatchers and hospitals communicate is a natural extension of that commitment."
With T-Mobile's financial support, the AHA also aims to expand participation in Mission: Lifeline EMS recognition nationwide, encouraging more EMS agencies to meet standards for guideline-directed care in cardiac and stroke emergencies. Additional resources are available on the AHA's website, including Hands-Only CPR resources and information on Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack.
