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This Week in EMS: A Recap for July 5 - 11, 2008
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National EMS officials were working this week to resuscitate a life-saving measure axed by Congress, part of the Ryan White Care Act.
Thanks to the legislation, when a patient tests positive for HIV, AIDS or other serious illnesses, the hospital staff notifies the EMS personnel who handled the call. Unless EMS officials are successful, however, that protection will be dropped.
On Thursday, EMS officials from various organizations including Cornerstone, NAEMT, IAFC and others participated in a conference call to discuss the issue. EMSResponder.com will continue to follow these efforts.
Read more at EMS Officials Work to Restore Ryan White Legislation.
Six people have been fired and a lawsuit has been filed following the death of a woman who was ignored for more than an hour as she lay collapsed on the floor of a Brooklyn, NY psychiatric ER waiting room. Esmin Green, 49, had been waiting for help for nearly 24 hours.
Also following the incident, an ACEP report came out detailing the growing trend of patients marooned in such facilities nationwide as they wait for services.
For further details visit this article and its related links: Woman Dies Ignored in Brooklyn ER.
Among the fireworks mishaps reported following this year's 4th of July festivities, nearly 40 people were injured at the public show in Charles City, Iowa.
Investigators said it appeared the fireworks suddenly exploded all at once close to the ground, sending the fireworks into the crowd.
To read more visit Fireworks Injure Nearly 40 at Iowa Show.
Also in the news, a seventh victim died following last week's collision of two Arizona medical helicopters.
James Taylor, 36, was an emergency nurse at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake as well as a part-time member of Life Flight medical staff. He was the lone survivor until he died last Friday at the Flagstaff Medical Center.
Read Arizona Helicopter Crash Claims Seventh Victim.
Industry News
5.11 Tactical, EMS EXPO & EMS Magazine to Sponsor 2008 Photo Contest
We're looking for photos of EMS/rescue/fire professionals in the field, at training events or in the workplace. Your photos could be featured in advertising campaigns, marketing materials or EMS Magazine.
The Grand Prize Winner will receive one 3-day conference program and one travel and hotel voucher valued up to $1000* to attend EMS EXPO, Oct. 15-17, 2008, in Las Vegas. Plus, go on location at a 5.11 Tactical photo shoot, all travel expenses paid. Your feature photo will also be included in the 5.11 Tactical catalogue.
In addition, ten finalists will be chosen to receive $511 gift certificates for 5.11 Tactical merchandise. Follow the link for submission details.
Featured Column:
"I was stupid. Yup, staring back at me from the mirror was an idiot, or so I thought," writes Steve Kavalin. Click to read about Steve's three attempts at paramedic school and how he finally found success.
Featured Job:
Candidates for Paramedic Training -- New Castle, DE
Successful candidates will be hired by New Castle County and entered in the Paramedic curriculum at Delaware Technical and Community College (14 - 18 month program).
Click for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings including:
- EMTs and Paramedics -- Baytown, Houston, Webster, Pasadena, TX
- Communications Services -- National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
- Paramedics, EMS Supervisor, EMTs -- White Rose Ambulance, York, PA
Featured Forum Thread:
Forum member firemedicgm writes, "I know what we all learned in school...CO poisonings will give false SPO2 readings, and patients will be pink (or even red).
What I want to know is what have you guys seen in real-life experience? We had one come into the ER recently with a CO exposure, cyanotic, with SPO2 of 80%...."
Click above to read more, or browse the forums at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
As an EMS provider, what is your view on personal fireworks?
Click to participate, and view previous polls at www.EMSResponder.com/polls.
Reminders:
Call for Registration: EMS EXPO 2008!
Registration is open for EMS EXPO 2008. The conference takes place October 13-17 in Las Vegas, NV. Register early for the best conference rates and to guarantee your placement in limited classes.
Your Agency Could Be the Winner of the 2008 EMS Magazine Gold Service Award!
Click above for details and to fill out the online nomination form by August 1, 2008.
Please answer a few brief questions. Results will appear in a forthcoming issue of EMS Magazine.
Call for Nominations: 2007-2008 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor
The Department of Justice is accepting nominations for the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. Nominations due by July 31, 2008.
To submit case studies for possible review in EMS Magazine, e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Texas Responders Battle Bees at Fatal Wreck
- Firefighter/EMTs Get Married in Michigan Station
- Long Island EMT Dies after July 4th Response
- West Virginia Agency Accuses Ohio Agency of Hijacking Patients
- Patient Trapped on Iowa ER Elevator 3 Hours, Later Dies
- Pet Dog Gnaws Off Disabled Illinois Woman's Toe
- Man's Nose Bitten Off in S.C. Burger King Drive-Through
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.
