June 2005 Hot Shots

Reaching the “Audience of One”

With the rise of distance learning, EMS educators face the challenges of catering to the proverbial “audience of one.” Harris Corp.’s H-Class Content Delivery Platform enables content providers to serve this emerging group by managing the delivery of rich digital media across multiple networks, channels, formats and devices. The platform integrates disparate processes into a single modular system that handles all content management and delivery from creation to consumption. This provides more targeted programming and advertising content, enabling the creation of new advertising models for increased revenue. Integrated applications allow automated ingestion, intelligent transport, tracking and billing of product placement, and shared services. For more information, call 888/796-9827, or visit www.harris.com.

Simplified AtroPen Trainer

In an emergency situation, fumbling with a syringe can be cumbersome and time-consuming. To increase providers’ smoothness and comfort with the action, Meridian Medical Technologies offers a new training simulator for its family of AtroPen (atropine) auto-injectors. The actual AtroPen is a prefilled, pressure-activated system designed for the quick administration of a precise dose of atropine (0.5–2 mg). Meridian’s trainers are designed to be similar in appearance and function to these auto-injector products. The new AtroPen trainer has been redesigned to reset without a tool, yet still offer activation that is realistic. The elimination of the resetting tool simplifies its use. For more information, visit www.meridianmeds.com/trainers.html.

EMS?Starts With A

Prehospital care starts with A, as in airway—tending to that is one of the most important things providers do. Doing so may now be easier:?The new Lipsky-Schultz Super Suction System (LS4), from Westmed Inc., is an innovative oropharyngeal suction system engineered for the rapid removal of airway obstructions and aspirated material of up to ¾" in diameter or more. It can clear up to 500cc of large debris in five seconds. For more information, call 800/975-7987, or e-mail sales@westmedinc.com.

Crew Management Efficiency

Every dollar counts in EMS, and that’s more true than ever today. The efficient use of personnel can go a long way toward reducing waste and enhancing operational efficiency. ZOLL?Data Systems’ RescueNet Crew Scheduler is a scheduling solution that helps organizations achieve this. Through reducing overtime and maximizing utilization of cost-efficient resources, the RescueNet Crew Scheduler helps decrease payroll costs even as call volumes increase. By viewing daily or monthly calendars, conflicts and empty shifts can be identified, and managers can deploy resources quickly and effectively. The system tracks the certification of each employee, ensuring that all crews and vehicles are staffed appropriately, and provides in-depth reporting and analysis in such areas as resource utilization, shift summaries, daily schedules and more. Dispatch “snapshots” can be captured for QA review. For more information, call 978/421-9655, or visit www.zoll.com.

In-Vein Needle Blunting

Per a 1997 study by the CDC, 61% of accidental needlesticks occur after a device is removed from a patient’s vein, but before any safety features can be activated. What’s more, 83% of needlestick injuries come from devices that require such activation after removal. With an eye toward safety in procedures requiring needles, ICU?Medical offers its line of Punctur-Guard needles for blood collection and infusion safety. Available in a winged butterfly set or as blood-collection needles, Punctur-Guards can be blunted while in the patient’s vein. Once the last tube of blood is drawn, the user simply pushes the tube an additional quarter-inch to activate the blunting feature. An audible click tells the user blunting has occurred. With the butterfly, a middle wing between the two traditional wings is turned clockwise to activate the blunting feature. For more information, call 800/824-7890, or visit www.icumed.com.

Kendricks in Red, Blue

If you’re going to be in uniform, you might as well look good. Crews can now color-coordinate with the two new models of the Kendrick Traction Device, which is now available from Medix Choice in EMS blue and firehouse red. The new models have the same easy-to-use color-coded straps, 20-ounce weight and compact size as previous Kendricks, and are of the quality customers of Medix Choice expect. These new models are available only through Medix Choice; dealer inquiries are invited. For more information, call 619/588-4583.