Hospitals collaborate with fire department to treat heat stroke

A collaboration between the Phoenix Fire Department and Phoenix-based St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Valleywise Health and Banner University Medical Center began in the summer of 2024 to reduce heat-related deaths among vulnerable populations. An article in the May issue of the Voice of Nursing Leadership describes how the Phoenix Fire Department places patients in a rapid-cooling bag with ice slurry while patients are in transit to the hospital. Emergency medical technicians closely monitor patients, and upon arrival, an emergency department hyperthermia resuscitation team assumes care. Ambulances carry rapid cooling bags and ice from May to October. Although the hospitals are still conducting an analysis, ED staff say the new process is saving lives.