Overland Park Regional Medical Center reunites first responders, caregivers and cardiac patient

Overland Park, Kan. — Overland Park Regional Medical Center hosted a Great Save Event honoring the life-saving expertise and the collaborative efforts of Overland Park Regional’s cardiac team, First Responders, EMS, and the medical staff who cared for former cardiac patient William Coldiron.

The then 86-year-old went into cardiac arrest the day f.ollowing a cath procedure in early Dec. 2021. After receiving ROSC (the return of spontaneous circulation) from First Responders at his Overland Park home, he was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center, where the fast-moving cardiac team discovered Coldiron had minimal brain activity and told his family that he might not breathe on his own again. Coldiron responded slightly to commands several days after being admitted to the ICU. Discharged from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility on Dec. 31, 2021, Coldiron underwent outpatient cardiac rehabilitation and has resumed daily activities.

“Every day, remarkable, inspiring and heroic efforts are made in our hospital to deliver high-quality, compassionate healthcare to patients like Mr. Coldiron,” said Overland Park Regional Medical Center CEO Matt Sogard. “The Great Save allows us to recognize First Responders and EMS, who are critical in collaborative efforts, along with our trauma and medical teams, to save lives.” 

Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating suddenly, and the lack of blood flow to the brain and other organs can cause a person to lose consciousness, become disabled or die if not treated immediately.

“Seconds, not minutes, count when a patient experiences cardiac arrest outside the hospital,” said Rangarao V. Tummala, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained clinical cardiac electrophysiologist with Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health, one of the physicians who cared for Coldiron. “What happens in the field is crucial to help preserve heart function and is the first step in helping save a life.”