This Week in EMS: Patient Attack...Cardiac Arrest Protocols...Memorial Bike Ride Preparation
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Patient Attack Changed Mass. Paramedic's Life Forever
It's been 26 years since paramedic John F. Lynch was infected with hepatitis C when a heroin addict bit him while he was saving her life. The incident changed his life forever, but did not stop him from teaching others to save lives.
Colorado Paramedic Wounded During SWAT Training
The Wheat Ridge Police Department is investigating how a volunteer paramedic was struck by a deflected bullet fragment during routine SWAT firing-range training.
Lights and Sirens Off for Texas MedStar Cardiac Arrest Patients
MedStar ambulances will no longer "run hot" -- that is, with lights flashing and sirens blaring -- when paramedics inside are giving chest compressions to patients in cardiac arrest, officials say.
'Narrowbanding' Mandate Could Be Costly for Public Safety
A federal communications mandate called "narrowbanding" will force public-safety agencies to upgrade their radio equipment in the next two and a half years.
EMS Training Center
Antiemetics In The Prehospital Setting
In recent years, paramedics have started using a class of medication called antiemetics to alleviate nausea and vomiting in the field. Anecdotally, their use has had good results, but there has been very little research on the topic. Even though there has been an increase in the use of antiemetics, there has only been one study on its use in this setting.
EMS Life
Canadian Medic Honors a Friend with a Legacy to Assist Disaster Victims
Rahul Singh worked his first ambulance shift as a full-time paramedic on New Year's Eve in 1989. Given his life experiences since, it seems appropriate that he would start his career on one of the most celebrated nights of the year. After all, his resume starts with his service as a medic for Toronto EMS in Canada, progresses through his founding of a disaster aid relief charity in honor of his late best friend and is currently highlighted with a nomination for TIME Magazine's 2010 Top 100 list.
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 Article
Life of A Recovering Bikeaholic
Preparing for the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride requires commitment to training and a passion for EMS. A participant in this year's ride shares some essential training tips for preparing for such an event.
Featured EMS Magazine Article
Beyond the Books: Just the Right Distance
This month in Beyond the Books, we look at one of the greatest challenges in EMS: maintaining the right distance from your patients. While you might think this means physical distance, that would be an errant assumption. We are actually referring to "emotional distance," or more specifically, the problems that come with being either too close or too far away from your patients.
Continuing Education
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
There are many ways that you can take small steps toward better health. This site, hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services, provides over 100 tips on how to create a healthier lifestyle for you and your family, plus keep a record of your physical fitness with the Smallstep activity tracker.
Industry News
ZOLL AED Helps Save Life of Boston Marathon Runner
An AED Pro, manufactured by ZOLL Medical Corporation of Chelmsford, MA, and bystander CPR provided by race spectators, including a doctor, helped save the life of a runner in his 60s who suffered sudden cardiac arrest one mile short of finishing the 114th Boston Marathon yesterday, April 19. The runner is reported in stable condition today at a Boston hospital.
Featured Job
Paramedic, Richmond Ambulance Authority, VA
Richmond Ambulance Authority is a world-class EMS system. The mission and purpose for this position is to compassionately deliver high-quality service, basic and advanced patient care in a professional,caring and cost-effective manner. Ideal candidate must be at least 18 years of age, possess a valid driver's license, a current paramedic certification, and current BCLS, ACLS, PALS, BTLS or PHTLS provider certification. Candidate must hold a current NREMT-P certification. Currently we have full-time and part-time positions available.
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
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Featured Forum Thread
Ventmedic asks: How many are familiar with their infectious disease policies? When was the last time you read the policies? Do you adhere to the policies? Do you understand the policies?
Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question
This week we ask our readers: Should having a previous criminal conviction prohibit you from working in EMS?
Grant & Scholarship News & Resources
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
Responders Ready for EMS on the Hill
Nearly 200 people to date -- mainly EMTs and paramedics -- have indicated they will attend NAEMT's first EMS on the Hill event. The stakeholders will be visiting their legislators on May 4 explaining their concerns and asking for support on a number of issues.
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.
EMS Responder Daily TipsCheck out EMSResponder's daily tips. During April, we will feature daily MCI management tips. If you have a tip you would like to share with us, e-mail Editorial Director Nancy Perry.
EMS Magazine April 2010
The April issue of EMS Magazine is now available online. This month, we feature articles on NYC Medics' response to Haiti, EMS response to mass violence, prehospital management of gunshot wounds and treating the near-drowning patient.
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 3-4: 1st Annual EMS on the Hill Day, Washington DC
- 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
- Ala. Ambulance Service Owner Files Suit Regarding Call Rotation
- Mass. Trooper's EMT Report Remains Under Wraps
- Oklahoma City Marks 15 Years Since Bombing
- Wash. Tax Will Launch 911 Into Age of Texting
- Cal/OSHA Issues Citations to Police and Fire Agencies in Meningitis Exposure Case
- Three Hospitalized After Aussie Goat Attack
- First Grad Touts Kan. Emergency Communications Program
- Kevin Tighe Struggles With Emergency! Fame
- Massachusetts Responders Cash In on Movie-Set Gigs
- Laptop Falls From Minn. LifeLink Helicopter, Almost Hits Boy
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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.
