ADVERTISEMENT
This Week in EMS: National Wireless Network...Social Media Policies...Military Medicine
Sign up here to receive the EMS Weekly Recap in your e-mail.
National Wireless Network for Public Safety Inching Closer to Reality
There is little debate that public safety personnel need their own nationwide, interoperable wireless network in order to communicate seamlessly and without competition from the private sector. There has been debate, however, over how to achieve such a goal.
Newly Insured Expected to Crowd ERs
The new health-reform law means more Americans will have health insurance in four years, but it doesn't ensure that they'll have a doctor to see when they have a medical problem. ED physicians predict that many of the newly insured will end up in already overcrowded EDs because they won't have easy access to family doctors.
Calif. City to Appeal Ruling on County Paramedic Control
The city will appeal a judge's June decision that Stockton Fire Department paramedics must have an agreement with county medical officials before using advanced lifesaving techniques.
The Corner Office: Practical Management for EMS Leaders
What Does Your Social Media Policy Say?
You can't ignore it. Social media is everywhere these days...at home, at work, and with the popularity of smartphones and their ability to access sites on the go, it's everywhere in between. With that in mind, developing a policy to guide employee use of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc., is likely a smart move for managers and administrators who are responsible for overseeing such activity.
Point of View
Crime Scene Investigation: Evidence Suggests Improvements Needed
The evidence on the evidence is in, and it ain't pretty. Recent research has shown that, while the 2005 American Heart Association guidelines for CPR and ECC doubled survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, EMS providers and clinicians were slow to adopt the new clinical care guidelines. In fact, it seems thousands of lives could have been saved if EMS services had implemented the guidelines more quickly and providers trained to apply them correctly.
EMS Training Center
Intubate With Your Eyes Closed
Endotracheal intubation can be tough, but there is a way to improve your chances of seeing the vocal cords on the first peek. A subtle change in how you approach the task may improve your outcomes.
Prehospital Profiles
As an Army Reserve emergency nurse, Major Randall Mitchell says that while there's no question that war injuries are horrific, the difference is that many of the patients were brought in alive: "A lot of similar injuries we see here in the United States probably would have been fatal because of the time it takes for response vehicles. In Iraq, body armor saves the torso a bit better, so we were saving soldiers who probably would have died back in the States." Read more about Maj. Mitchell's experiences in Iraq in his exclusive interview with EMSResponder.
Featured EMS Magazine Article: August 2010
It is 2 a.m. when your unit is dispatched to the medical unit of the state prison for a "possible stroke." As you approach the facility, the brightly lit prison and grounds are juxtaposed against the dark backdrop of the night sky. Beyond a sign that reads "No unauthorized vehicles or personnel beyond this point...State Department of Corrections...State Prison," a vehicle awaits to escort you to your point of entry into the facility. Providing care for the incarcerated patient can be challenging from both a logistical and medical perspective.
Continuing Education
Hundreds of thousands of people have DNR orders, and most of them live independently and work and interact daily with society. These patients may become extremely sick from other causes, and it is important to remember they still have a large variety of treatment options available. Further, roughly a half-million U.S. patients are receiving hospice and palliative care benefits through Medicare and Medicaid.
This CE activity is approved by EMS Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for 1.5 CEUs. After reading the article, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.
Business News
Delaware Equips Fire Districts with Noninvasive Carbon Monoxide Screening Technology
Odessa Fire Company and Masimo have jointly announced that 150 Masimo Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeters were recently distributed to every fire district in the state of Delaware during a statewide training event at the main fire station.
Featured Job
Flight Paramedic, Omniflight, Charleston, SC
The role requires cooperative and interdependent optimization of care for patients requiring emergent and/or critical stabilization and transport.
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
Sign up here to receive the new EMS Jobs e-newsletter.
Reader Poll: Vehicle Security
This week we ask: An unattended ambulance was stolen by a discharged patient outside a North Carolina emergency department. Do you routinely lock your ambulance when you leave it unattended? Click here to let us know your thoughts.
Grant & Scholarship News & Resources
EMS Responder's Grant Resource Guide provides news, articles and resources relating to grant writing and fundraising for EMS and public safety agencies.
$55 Million for Security, Communications in Los Angeles
A portion of the grant will fund the Los Angeles Regional Interoperability Communications System, which will connect the county's 43 police departments and 30 fire departments, hospitals and medical services organizations.
EMS Forums
Featured Forum Thread
Dogboy asks: How would you treat it? The thought occurred to me that with all these teenagers and young adults I am transporting lately for syncopal episodes and tachycardia from drinking too many energy drinks, it is just a matter of time until a fluid bolus and a quick ride to the local hospital won't be enough.
Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
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:
- August 26-28: Vital Signs, New York City, NY
- September 7-12: NAEMSE Symposium, Schaumburg, IL
- September 27-October 1: EMS EXPO/NAEMT Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com
- Texas FD Goes Two Years Without Defibrillator Battery
- UK Paramedic Saves Baby With Makeshift Incubator
- 2,000 Attend Memorial for Tucson Helicopter Crash Victims
- 2 Die When Car, Ambulance Crash in Ark.
- Texas FD Drops EMS Demand for Prospective Firefighters
- Md. Diner Faked Seizures to Skip Out on Restaurant Bills
- Nurse Faced 5-Year Battle with Flesh-Eating Bacteria
- Calif. Ambulances Are Being Used to Promote Nonprofits
- New 911 System Presents Challenges for Wash. Personnel
- Board Questions Iowa Ambulance Delay
Become a Fan of EMSResponder and EMS Magazine on Facebook
Interact and chat with other members of the EMSResponder Facebook community, while getting access to daily postings and news updates.
Follow EMSResponder on Twitter
Stay in touch 24/7 with breaking news and industry developments by following EMSResponder.com on Twitter to get daily EMS news headlines delivered to your Twitter account.
We Want to Hear From You
If you have a news lead or story idea you would like to submit to EMSResponder.com, please e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.
