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This Week in EMS: Age Bias in Geriatric Triage
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A study published this week sought to answer the question, "Are elderly trauma patients treated with the same vigor as their younger counterparts?" The study found they are not, at least where the study was conduced in Maryland. State EMS officials said they have been providing more training to combat the problem.
In related news this week, the Ohio Emergency Medical Services board approved new trauma triage criteria for geriatric patients.
To read more on these issues visit Trauma Care Bias Targeted in Maryland and Ohio Trauma Rules Changed for Elderly.
Also this week, an international disaster took place when a Spanish airliner crashed and burned Wednesday on takeoff from a Madrid airport, resulting in 149 deaths. A police officer reported that the bodies were so hot that rescuers could barely touch them, and that the wreckage bore no resemblance to a plane.
Dozens of ambulances responded to the scene and EMS personnel treated 26 survivors. The dead were initially taken to a makeshift morgue in the city's main convention center.
Read more at 149 Dead in Plane Crash at Madrid Airport.
Industry News:
New Survey: The Top 20 Developments in EMS
EMS Magazine asked its editorial advisory board to list the top developments in the history of EMS. Here are their suggestions; now we ask you to vote for your top choice in each category. The results will be published in conjunction with EMS EXPO 2008 this October 13-17 in Las Vegas, NV. We thank you for your contribution! Click above to participate.
EMS Study Tour to Offer 30 CEUs to Participants
The Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) has approved 30 CEU's for EMS professionals who are participating in the EMS Diversity in America Study Tour, Oct. 7- 14. The tour will begin in Los Angeles, make numerous educational and recreational stops, and end in Las Vegas where tour participants will receive a complimentary 3-day Conference Program pass to EMS EXPO.
Now on EMSResponder.com: Free Webcast
Caution! Emergency Responders on the Roadway Ahead
This presentation from August 20, 2008 is now archived and available for viewing at your convenience. It covers upcoming safety standards for emergency responders, including high visibility vests and striping on apparatus. This webcast is presented by the Emergency Responder Safety Institute.
Featured Column:
Muddy Angels 2008: One Rider's Thoughts from the Road
Mike Kennard, three-time participant of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, provides an intense and personal account of this year's ride. Even if you've read about the ride before, this is the first account that will make you feel as if you were there.
New Podcast:
Listen to "meet" Neil Kirby, tour guide for the EMS Diversity in America tour traveling the Southwest U.S. this fall. Neil is the Director of Special Programs for the North Central EMS Institute, and has 30 years of experience in EMS, most recently as the Deputy Commissioner of the Queensland Ambulance Service in Australia.
Featured Job:
Paramedic -- Baltimore County, MD
Qualified applicants will be scheduled for a written examination, and those who pass will be invited in the physical ability test, practical skills assessment and oral interview. Salary: $45,573 -$61,387. Closing Date: 8/24/2008.
Click for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings including:
- Paramedic (EMT-P) -- Mecklenburg County, NC
- Regional Sales Manager, Ambulance Manufacturer -- Van Wert, OH
- Corporate Director -- Winchester, VA
Featured Forum Thread:
Tips for Preparing for Medic School
"I will be starting my Paramedic class in January and was wondering what I can do/practice/study before class starts. I became a Basic last fall and don't have any experience as a basic yet," writes forum member tulsa422.
Click above to weigh in, or browse the forums at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Do you think there is age bias in patient treatment in your EMS system?
Click to participate, and view previous polls at www.EMSResponder.com/polls.
Reminders:
National EMS Memorial Bike Ride Announces Logo Contest
The contest runs from August 1, 2008 through September 1, 2008.
5.11 Tactical, EMS EXPO & EMS Magazine Sponsor 2008 Photo Contest
Your photos could be featured in advertising campaigns, marketing materials or EMS Magazine. Entries must be submitted by September 16, 2008.
Call for Registration: EMS EXPO 2008!
Registration is open for EMS EXPO 2008, which takes place October 13-17 in Las Vegas, NV. Register early for the best conference rates and to guarantee your placement.
Registration Open: EMS Study Tour
An EMS Study Tour will embark on a multi-city tour Oct. 7 - 14, 2008 and will end in Las Vegas, where participants will speak with attendees at EMS EXPO.
To learn about the tour and to register visit https://worldemstour.ncemsi.org.
To submit case studies for possible review in EMS Magazine, e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.
Free Poster: Do You Care Enough to ICARE?
A poster is currently in design to illustrate the ICARE principles. To request a free copy, e-mail your name, title, agency name and mailing address to nancy.perry@cygnusb2b.com.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Nebraska Medic Almost Dies After Black Widow Bite
- Pa. Woman Dies After Dispatcher Gives Wrong Address
- Pedestrian Dies In Denver Ambulance Crash
- Atlanta Response Times Under Scrutiny
- D.C. Fire/EMS Medical Director Resigns
- New York State Halts Ambulance Company's Illegal Billing
About Heather Caspi, EMSResponder.com Editor-in-Chief
Heather Caspi has been a public safety journalist since 2000, beginning as a reporter for sister site Firehouse.com. She later became the assistant news editor for Firehouse.com and Officer.com, and led the launch of EMSResponder.com in 2005. She graduated from the University of Maryland with degrees in Journalism and English Language and Literature, and earned her EMT-B at Merritt College in Oakland, California. She can be reached at Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.
