Ute Pass Regional Health Service District

Paramedic Services – Community Paramedics – Pre-Hospital and Community Education

P.O. Box 149 785 Red Feather Lane Woodland Park, CO 80866
Main: (719) 687-2291 Fax: (719) 687-6410 Email: nboyce@uprad.org

MEDIA RELEASE
Local Paramedics to Carry Life-Saving Stroke Medication

(Woodland Park Colorado, October 10, 2018) – Today Ute Pass Regional Health Service District
announces that it has partnered with UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital to further improve
care for stroke patients. Effective October 17th, 2018, paramedics with the Ute Pass Regional
Health Service District will be permitted to transport patients receiving a lifesaving medication
called tPA, short for Tissue Plasminogen Activator. This new protocol and treatment is one
which only a few ambulance services in the state are trained and equipped to provide.

This new partnership will ensure patients experiencing a stroke will be transported to a
comprehensive stroke hospital in Colorado Springs in a shorter amount of time while
simultaneously receiving this life saving medication. Patients can be transported to Pikes Peak
Regional Hospital where this medication will be started, reducing the time it takes for patients
to get tPA and initial stroke care. This high level of care can be continued during ambulance
transport to either Memorial Central or Penrose Main hospitals, where the patient can receive
more advanced care. The ability to continue the medication during transport decreases the
time between onset of stroke and complete comprehensive care.

tPA is a medication that dissolves blood clots. It is called a thrombolytic agent and commonly
referred to as the “clot buster.” This intravenous medication is given through a catheter
inserted into a vein in the arm. About eight out of 10 strokes are caused by blood clots. These
types of strokes block the flow of blood to the brain causing tissue death. tPA within the first
four and half hours of a stroke to dissolve the clot quickly and restore the blood flow to the
brain tissue. This medication is very effective with one in three patients who receive tPA
showing no or very limited stroke symptoms after receiving tPA.

MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Boyce, Paramedic/Public Information Officer | nboyce@uprad.org 617-872-6548

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Ute Pass Regional Health Service District is an award-winning provider of paramedic services, mobile
integrated healthcare, and healthcare education to over 500 square miles of Teller, Douglas, Park, and El
Paso Counties, Colorado.