This Week in EMS: Paramedic Crew Size...Anti-EMS Stickers...TIME Magazine Honors Medic

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NIST Study: Paramedic Crew Size Matters When it Comes to Patient Care

Crew size makes a difference in patient care. Twelve-lead EKGs were applied sooner and intubations were faster when the crew consisted of at least two paramedics, one of whom was on an engine.

As the ambulance was transporting the prisoner, four masked men pulled up in a stolen BMW. They smashed the ambulance windows with baseball bats and bolt-cutters and the prisoner, who was escorted by three prison guards, escaped.

Florida Police Chief Quashes Anti-EMS Stickers

A couple of bumper stickers created by the city's firefighters' union that take a potshot at the countywide ambulance service ended up on police patrol cars -- much to the consternation of top police brass.

TIME Magazine Honors Toronto Paramedic

A Toronto paramedic has been honored by TIME magazine for his commitment to disaster relief.

EMS Training Center

Hydrofluoric Acid

Incidents involving hydrogen fluoride, or hydrofluoric acid, are not common, but the consequences of exposure to this compound by any means can be devastating. This little-known acid has unique properties that make it extremely dangerous to emergency personnel and others.

Prehospital Profiles

A Growing EMS Community

You might say that Michigan-based Community EMS is like TV's Energizer bunny: It just keeps on going--and growing. The company got its start back in 1982 at Botsford Hospital in Farmington, MI, and has grown into five ambulance companies with joint venture partnerships with a number of larger healthcare delivery systems to become the largest not-for-profit prehospital care provider in the state.

The Corner Office: Practical Management for EMS Leaders

I Can't Do That, HIPAA Won't Let Me: April 19, 2010

As part of our ongoing series of healthcare law updates for EMS managers, attorney Christopher Kelly discusses HIPAA-related disclosures of patient information.

Featured EMS Magazine Article

PRIMED for Failure?

Last November, enrollment in the ROC PRIMED clinical trial ended early. The trial had been examining a pair of cardiac arrest interventions: use of an impedance threshold device (ITD)--a fist-size plastic device attached to the face mask or breathing tube to improve circulation by enhancing changes in pressures within the chest--during CPR by EMS providers, and early vs. delayed strategies of assessing the heart's rhythm in relation to when CPR was begun.

Continuing Education

Facial Trauma

Facial trauma is most frequently caused by motor vehicle collisions, physical altercations and falls. This CE article discusses the incidence of facial trauma, reviews facial anatomy and physiology, and discusses the assessment and treatment of the facial trauma patient. This article also features a lesson plan that utilizes the content of CE articles to help facilitate training sessions. Use or adapt this lesson plan for your organization, its personnel and its local protocols.

This CE activity is approved by EMS Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for 1.5 CEUs. After reading the article, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.

Additional CE Articles

• Abdominal Trauma

The Power of Capnography to Guide Respiratory Care

Capnography can provide valuable, immediate information to help you care for your patients in respiratory distress. This presentation sponsored by Philips looks at waveform morphology for common respiratory disease states and how to use this information to guide decisions, indicate effectiveness of treatment, and optimize patient care. After viewing this video, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.

This CE activity is approved by EMS Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for .5 CEUs. After viewing the video, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.

Website of the Week

National Information Exchange Model

The National Information Exchange Model is a partnership of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. It is designed to develop, disseminate and support enterprise-wide information exchange standards and processes that can enable jurisdictions to effectively share critical information in emergency situations, as well as support the day-to-day operations of agencies throughout the nation.

Industry News

Medical City Hospital Partners With Dallas Fire-Rescue to Provide Advanced EKG Technology

A partnership announced today between Medical City Hospital and Dallas Fire-Rescue now provides Dallas residents with the benefit of potential life-saving technology, as Medical City recently helped outfit all DFR rescue units with Physio-Control's LIFENET STEMI Management Solution cardiac alert devices.

Featured Job

Shift Supervisor, Sandpoint, ID

Looking for shift supervisors with paramedic and supervision experience for a third service, tax-funded EMS agency in a rural and wilderness area. Prefer 10+ years experience in EMS and 5+ years as a supervisor.

Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.

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Featured Forum Thread

Passing the NREMT Certification Exam

splais asks: A friend is trying to become an EMT. He got one of the highest grades in his class and passed the practical exam. Problem is, he has now failed the computer exam twice and only has one more shot left. For any of you who have done this, i.e., failed and then passed, it would be great if you could tell me what you did, what study guides you used, what study techniques--anything you think would help.

Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.

Poll Question

This week we ask our readers: What is the worst season for accidents and injuries in your community?

Grant & Scholarship News & Resources

AFG Grant Application Period Open

The grants will provide $390 million to departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country, according to a press release from FEMA.

Application Period for 2010 TYLENOL Healthcare Scholarship Program Now Open

If you've chosen to pursue a career that's all about taking care of others, the makers of TYLENOL® want to help take care of up to $10K of your tuition.

Nominations Now Open for 2010 Robert G. Nixon EMS EXPO Scholarship Program

Nominations are now open for the Robert G. Nixon EMS EXPO Scholarship Program, which awards two scholarships each year for EMS providers to attend EMS EXPO. The scholarship consists of a 3-day core program registration to EMS EXPO and $1,000 stipend to cover travel and expenses.

Noticeboard

National EMS Awards of Excellence

The nomination period for the National EMS Awards of Excellence is now open. Don't miss your opportunity to win cash prizes and a trip to EMS EXPO 2010 in Dallas, TX, September 27-October 1.

Check out EMSResponder's daily tips. During May, we will feature daily studying tips. If you have a tip you would like to share with us, e-mail Editorial Director Nancy Perry.

EMS Magazine May 2010

The May issue of EMS Magazine is now available online. This month, we feature articles on the value of baccalaureate degrees in EMS, how online learning can save agencies time and money, febrile seizures and responding to special needs patients.

Upcoming Events

Visit our Events Calendar to see what educational opportunities are in your area, plus post your own listings. Here are a selection of EMS upcoming training events:

• May 8: Pioneers of Paramedicine Gala Dinner and Fundraiser, Los Angeles, CA
• May 10-11: Regional UASI (Urban Area Security Initiative) Workshop, Philadelphia, PA
• May 11-13: 2010 Disaster Recovery and Response Expo, Nashville, TN
• May 15-16: A Weekend with Bob Page, Garden City, KS
• June 13-18: Ambulance Service Manager Program, Kansas City, MO
• June 30-July 1: ClinCon International, Orlando, FL

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com

• Prescription Meds Possible Cause of Tx. Toddler Death
• Whooping Cough Cases Increase in Illinois
• Saudi Woman Dies After Female Guards Delay Male EMTs
• 31 Flavors and a Stabbing: Fundraiser Gets Interesting for Fla. Firefighters
• Pennsylvania Medic Saves Partner After Cardiac Arrest
• Jail Resists Ambulance for Bloody Inmate
• N.J. EMT Injured When Car Hits Ambulance
• 'Fake Marijuana' Landing Colorado Kids in ED
• L.A. County Fire Museum Presents 'Pioneers of Paramedicine' Lifetime Achievement Award
• Former Connecticut Ambulance Treasurer Accused Of Embezzlement

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We Want to Hear From You
If you have a news lead or story idea you would like to submit to EMSResponder.com, please e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.