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This Week in EMS: Flu Fears Overblown?
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Swine Flu Update: CDC Remains Cautious as Public Gripes of Hype
The Swine Flu, or H1N1 outbreak, reached nearly 900 cases in the United States this week with the CDC expecting more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths in the coming weeks. However, it has remained more mild than initially feared and there has been some public backlash over the medical and media "hype."
Experts warn that it's too early to become complacent and that the virus could spike in the fall. Follow the related links for full coverage and visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu to track the numbers.
NBC to Debut New Paramedic, Nurse Dramas
NBC plans to add two new medical shows to its 2009-2010 schedule to replace the ended hit "ER."
"Trauma" is an intense and action-packed story of paramedics in San Francisco, who "must face the most extreme conditions to save lives, and give meaning to their own existence in the process." The show "Mercy" focuses on three nurses who "face the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love both inside the hospital and out in the real world." Click for details and video trailers.
EMSResponder.com Exclusive
New Indiana Law Recognizes Parkinson's Disease as Line-of-Duty Disability
Firefighters, EMS personnel and law enforcement officers in Indiana who contract Parkinson's will now be eligible for enhanced benefits. Gary Coons, a former firefighter stricken with the disease at 33, approached legislators after learning that toxic exposure to burning chemicals can bring about early onset of the disease.
Since word of his success has spread, he has been contacted by officials from other states who are anxious to get similar measures started.
Industry News:
The 36th Annual National EMS Week to Run May 17-23
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) will kick off the 36th annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week starting May 17th with events in communities across the nation as well as several national events organized around the theme "A Proud Partner in Your Community."
Also visit EMSResponder.com/emsweek for related content and our EMS Week-themed crossword puzzle.
Featured Podcast:
EMSResponder.com connects with ACEP to discuss this year's EMS Week as well as other ACEP current news. ACEP sponsors the annual National Emergency Medical Services Week to bring communities and providers together, to publicize safety and to honor those on medicine's "front line." Marshall Gardner provides a brief history of EMS Week, what the program has evolved into today, and why agencies should be involved.
Featured Column:
Contributor Stephen Kavalin reflects on a call to a nursing home patient who turned out to have a special relevance. "The hair stood up on my arms and the back of my neck," he writes. "Meeting this man further served to fuel my sense that there is a "connectivity" that runs through people, history and events that in some cosmic way binds all of us together.
...Better writers than me have inked fantastic essays on fate, serendipity and degrees of separation. This story has been my effort to add another small voice to that large body of work."
Featured Job:
Paramedics, EMT Intermediates and EMT Intermediates (PT)
"Fort Bend County, Texas is looking for EMS professionals that provide assessments with dignity, comfort with support, and treatment with compassion."
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
Sign up here to receive the new EMS Jobs e-newsletter.
Featured Forum Thread:
"Anyone have any good links to save rate data?" asks forum user "dr-exmedic."
"...This all stems from a YouTube video promoting fire-based EMS... the narrator claims that fire-based EMS has a 'documented' higher cardiac arrest save rate than non-fire-based EMS. Since the kindest thing I can say about this is that such a statement is not supported by the evidence, I threw together a response video."
Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Are you looking forward to viewing the two new medical TV shows slated to replace ER?
Reminders:
AFG Grant Applications Due May 20, 2009
The AFG awards will provide approximately $510 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.
Visit the new EMSResponder.com/grantsdatabase for additional grant news and resources.
EMS EXPO Announces Photo Contest for 2009
For the second year, EMS EXPO is looking for photos of EMS/rescue/fire professionals in the field, at training events or in the workplace. Photos must be received by September 18, 2009
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Embattled Wisconsin 911 Center Gets New Leader
- Bus Crash Leaves 28 Hurt in California
- Kentucky Paramedic Suspended Following Arrest
- Indianapolis Seeks to Curb 911 Abuse
- Dozen Hurt in Cowboys' Facility Roof Collapse
- Planes Collide in Florida, 2 Killed
- Women Likelier to Experience Non-Traditional Stroke Symptoms
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.
