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This Week in EMS: A Recap for June 18 - June 24, 2011
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Boston Fire Department Suspends 54 EMTs After Probe
The Boston Fire Department has suspended 54 firefighters who allegedly faked medical training certifications, following the department's yearlong inquiry into their involvement in the scheme that included more than 200 EMTs in the state.
National EMS Memorial Service Set
EMS personnel from across the country are gathering in Colorado Springs this weekend to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities.
Calif. Whistleblower: Paramedics Botched Treatment
An Oakland Fire Department employee embroiled in a long dispute with the agency has filed a lawsuit claiming that his colleagues provided inadequate treatment to Oscar Grant after he was fatally shot by a BART police officer.
Doctors Upgrade Condition of Beaten California Paramedic
Doctors at San Francisco General Hospital say Bryan Stow is now breathing without a ventilator and has been able to follow basic commands.
The Corner Office
Good Help Is Hard to Find: The EMS Workforce Agenda for the Future
The Emergency Medical Services Workforce Agenda for the Future imagines a future "in which all EMS systems have a sufficient number of well educated, adequately prepared, and appropriately credentialed EMS workers who are valued, well compensated, healthy, and safe." With employment of EMS providers expected to rise 9% between 2008 and 2018 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tackling workforce issues is a fast-growing imperative.
EMS Training Center
EMS Recap: The Glasgow Coma Scale
Emergency medical responders need to immediately assess anyone experiencing an acute brain injury for brain dysfunction and level of consciousness. The Glasgow Coma Scale was originally developed to assess and document the severity of brain dysfunction, with descriptions that medical professionals at all levels of training could understand, even if English was not their primary language.
EMS Operations
EMS Lessons Learned Extend Beyond the Medical Field
More than 250 on-campus EMS groups exist nationwide, and everyone associated with them agrees: It is one of the best ways for a student to prepare for a medical--or any other--career.
EMS Life
For emergency physician Diane Ruschke, the 4th of July holiday in 2003 started off as an exciting weekend hiking with friends. But halfway through the holiday, the doctor who was used to being in charge suddenly became the patient in a freak accident that left her seriously injured on the side of rugged Pfeifferhorn Mountain.
Reading Room
Mike Cyra's collection of humorous EMS stories, Emergency Laughter, proves that laughter still is the best medicine. "I'm a true believer in educating through humor," says Cyra. "It's always been a huge coping mechanism for me, and I firmly believe it's a critical survival tool for people who work in EMS."
Featured Video
Actor Ken Jeong, who also is a physician, lends some comedic relief to the AHA's new campaign. Video by American Heart Association.
Featured EMS World Magazine Article
In this month's Life Support column, author Mike Rubin suggests that while protocols preach caution, sometimes a little risk might be preferable: "Most EMS providers I've known have been obligate rescuers. They want to help. They need to help. Sometimes safety gets in the way."
Continuing Education
Fever in the Neonate and Young Infant
Fever is one of the most common chief complaints in pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department, accounting for up to 20% of pediatric ED visits. This article reviews maintenance of normal body temperature, purpose of fever, development of the immune system in the neonate and young infant, and assessment and management of the neonate and young infant with fever.
This CE activity is approved by EMS World Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for 1.5 CEUs. After reading the article, download the test that accompanies this article or take the CE test online at www.rapidce.com.
Industry News
HGH EMS Rescue Will Oversee Medical Services at Burning Man Event
Humboldt General Hospital's EMS Rescue Department will join forces with Black Rock City LLC to provide medical services during the annual Burning Man event, which attains status as one of Nevada's largest cities--for one week each year.
Noticeboard
EMS World Expo Scholarship Program
Nominations are being accepted through June 30 for the 2011 Robert G. Nixon Scholarship Program. The Robert G. Nixon Memorial Foundation will provide two scholarships that will each consist of a three-day core program EMS World Expo registration and $1,000 to pay for travel expenses to the 2011 EMS World Expo.
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EMS Job Center
Check out our all new EMS Job Center. This week's featured job: Firefighters & EMTs, MCFRS Montgomery County MD Fire and Rescue Service, MD.
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Reader Poll: Lock Boxes
This week we ask readers: A proposed law in Cedar Falls (IA) requires lock boxes containing residents' keys to be placed outside apartment buildings for emergency use. What is your opinion of this law? Click here to let us know your thoughts.
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:
- July 7-10: ClinCon 2011, Orlando, FL
- July 19-23: Firehouse Expo, Baltimore, MD
- August 29-September 2: EMS World Expo Las Vegas, NV
Other top headlines this week on EMSWorld.com
- Iowa Paramedic Imposter to Serve Probation
- San Diego Renews $55 Million, Two-Year EMS Contract
- New Policy Allows S.C. Firefighters to Drive Ambulances
- UK Paramedic Cleared in Fatal Crash While Responding
- Denis Leary to Produce New Paramedic Comedy
- D.C. Fire/EMS Pregnancy Policy Causes Uproar
- Study: Reduce Pause Between CPR Chest Compressions
- Okla. Ambulance Pulled Over, Medic Arrested: Bad Checks
- Woman Tries To Run Down S.C. EMTs
- Union Defends Tea Breaks for UK Medics
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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 EMSWorld.com, please e-mail Nancy.Perry@EMSWorld.com.
