Month in Review: March 2016

EMS World is dedicated to bringing our readers the most current and relevant information. At the end of every month, we will present the top news stories, videos and most popular social media posts of the month. Here is the month in review for March 2016:

Top News

In Tennessee, a mobile stroke treatment unit was unveiled by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The vehicle’s is the first in the world to carry a full-sized CT scanner and is equipped to x-ray a brain and use dye in blood vessels to pinpoint the stroke-causing clots, Dr. Andrei Alexandrov says. The team wants to be able to diagnose the issue and give patients damage-limiting treatments within 20 minutes. The average time in Memphis emergency rooms for patients to be given this treatment is 45-55 minutes.

On March 23 in Ohio, a Lima Police Department sergeant took his own life in front of local sheriff’s deputies.  The Sgt. David Gillespie had been sitting in a parked car inside a local cemetery and threatening suicide when police were called. When they arrived on scene, they attempted to talk the sergeant down, but were unsuccessful. Gillespie was 43 years old.

In Virginia, two volunteers with the Falmouth Fire Station in Stafford County were suspended after using a fire engine to take a child to the hospital. The 18-month-old was having a seizure, and the two volunteers didn’t think an ambulance would be on-scene for about 10 to 15 minutes. Because the fire engine was licensed as a “non-transport” unit, the two volunteers were disciplined. After a 13-minute transport, the child survived. Later in the month, the fire station was cited by the state for the incident.

Three crew members and a patient died in a medical helicopter crash in Alabama on March 24. The cause of the crash is still waiting to be determined, but weather is expected to have played a heavy factor. Thunderstorms blanketed the area the night of the crash. The helicopter was called after a single-vehicle crash. The NTSB report on the crash will likely not be available for several months.

In further medical-helicopter-related news, on March 16 the NTSB issued their report on a crash that occurred in April of 2015. Flight medic Kristin McLain had fallen from a helicopter in Texas, and the report found that she was “likely not properly fastened,” although the report hesitated to call the findings 100% certain.

As Obama took his first visit to Cuba toward the end of the month, Air Force paramedics transformed a C-17 aircraft into a trauma hospital capable of providing intensive care, ER trauma assessment and surgery and blood banking for support during the visit. The team flew to Cuba ahead of the visit to set up, and configured the aircraft to have the functional trauma capabilities when it landed.

Top Videos

Managing the Transected Airway—At the Social Media and Critical Care Conference Chicago, ENT surgeon Georgie Harris takes you through a logical approach to managing the horrific scenario of a transected airway. The 22-minute video provides an in depth analysis of the issue.

Dispatch: A Real-Life Story—Based on a true story, a rookie 911 dispatcher receives a bizarre phone call, plunging him into a horrific waiting game. The short, 5-minute film was directed and written by Caleb Hermann.

London Ambulance Service Demonstrates Pit Crew CPR—The pit crew concept, as demonstrated in this video from the London Ambulance Service, is meant to increase efficiency in CPR and change the structure of the way cardiac arrest patients are treated. Some elements of pit crew CPR include ensuring 360º accesses to the patient, calm and concise communications and use of a cardiac arrest checklist.

Cleveland EMS Supervisor Fired Over Tamir Rice Facebook Post—An EMS supervisor in Cleveland was fired after her Facebook comments on the police shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice were brought to the public. In the post, Jamie Marquardt said “Tamir Rice should have been shot and I’m glad he’s dead…I am upset I did not get the chance to kill the little criminal.” On the same account, someone later posted that someone else had posted the comments under her name.

Ill. Family Challenges Private Ambulance’s Billing Practices—The family spoke out after a private ambulance transport for her son between hospitals cost $5,800. After insurance paid for part of the transport, the family was left to pay about $2,500.

Top Facebook Posts

Mobile Stroke Unit Unveiled in Tenn.—In one of our furthest-reaching Facebook posts ever, photos show the inside of a Tenn. ambulance modified to treat stroke victims. "We are essentially the equivalent of a stroke center delivered to the doorstep of the patient," said Dr. Andrei Alexandrov, a neurology professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center where the mobile stroke unit project began.

Why Six Hours of Sleep is as Bad as None at All—This post, linking to an article from Fast Company, details subjects in a sleep study who were only allowed six hours of sleep per night for two weeks. They functioned as poorly as those who were forced to stay awake for two straight days.

“Suicide Bombers” Attack Brussels Airport—An article from the Daily Mail detailing the harrowing attacks on the Brussels Airport. Two blasts rocked the American Airlines check in desk, and another bomb hit a Metro station near the EU headquarters.’

Detroit EMT Attacked—A Detroit EMT was attacked while on a run early in March. He was in stable condition after the attack. Photos from the scene show a broken ambulance window, jostled items from inside the ambulance and a bloodied radio.

Prince Comforts Patient on Air Ambulance Stretcher—Prince William was photographed taking an injured man out on a stretcher after landing at the medical helicopter’s destination, a deviation from Prince William’s usual role. The UK HEMS team that Prince William is a part of depends on donations to support operations.

Paramedics in Victoria, Australia, Given Pay Raise—The Australian government accepted that, because the role of paramedic in the country has become “more difficult and more complex” over the past decade, a raise of up to $18,000 was in order. First year graduate paramedics received a pay boost of $7,000, pushing their salary to $58,000 a year.

In Memoriam

Stasi Cernadas, 38, a flight nurse and paramedic in Alabama, died March 26 in a medical helicopter crash. Friends and family say Cernadas was “living out her dream” being a flight nurse. Cernadas had previously worked as a trauma nurse and a flight attendant.

Chad Hammond, 29, a medical helicopter pilot in Alabama, died March 26 when the helicopter he was piloting crashed. Hammond had been with Metro Aviation since 2015, and three years ago had been recognized by the FAA with inclusion in the FAA Airmen Certification Database meant to recognize pilots who have exceeded educational, licensing and medical standards set by the FAA.

Peter Larlee, 57, a fire captain and EMT in Maine, died March 2 after suffering a cardiac arrest while on duty. Larlee was returning to the station from responding to several emergency calls when he collapsed. Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Larlee had spent time mentoring young employees with the organization. He worked at East Millinocket Fire Department for 16 years.

Kenny Ray Jr., 32, an EMT, firefighter and police officer in Ohio, was found dead at his full-time job at TimkenSteel Faircrest on March 20. Ray Jr. was found unresponsive after apparent exposure to nitrogen gas. Ray Jr. was a member of Timken’s security and fire team, and held a position as an EMT and firefighter in Uniontown as well.

Jason Snipes, 24, a flight medic in Alabama, died in a helicopter crash March 26. Snipes had been a first responder since the early 2000s. Snipes was one of two firefighters in Chilton County to own and raise search and rescue dogs who helped the department during missions.

Steve Toppin, 53, an EMT from N.C. died on March 8 while working on a critical patient. He and his partner responded to a 9-1-1 call, and at the scene Toppin complained of shortness of breath and collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died. Toppin worked as an EMT before spending 20 years in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsmen. After he retired from the Navy, he returned to EMT work.