This Week in EMS: Indianapolis EMS Merger...Going Green...EMS Driving Care

Sign up here to receive the EMS Weekly Recap in your e-mail.

Psychiatric Patient Jumps From Moving N.Y. Ambulance

A psychiatric patient was injured after jumping from a Rural/Metro ambulance in Brighton, N.Y., and was then struck by an SUV immediately after falling onto an expressway.

Indianapolis Mayor Pushes EMS Consolidation

The mayor of Indianapolis is calling for the merger of the city's top two EMS providers in a move he said will save money and create more efficient operations.

Dashcam Video Shows Teen in Stolen Atlanta Ambulance

Atlanta police released dashcam video of a teenager seen bouncing behind the steering wheel of an ambulance that belongs to Grady Hospital.

EMS Training Center

Assessing Respiratory Distress

Air should go in and out. It's one of the first things they teach you in school, right? So when patients report feeling short of breath, it's time to get serious; however, differentiating between the many cases of respiratory distress is far from simple. But using your clinical acumen, being diligent and paying attention to detail can lead you down the path to the right conclusion, facilitating the right treatment plan and doing right for the patient.

Prehospital Profiles

Windy City: Going Green in Pennsylvania

When Chief Charles Pressler of the Central Bucks Ambulance and Rescue Unit out of Doylestown, PA, reviewed potential projects to save costs, the concept of green energy was at the front of his mind. After researching the options, he submitted a grant proposal for construction of a windmill to help provide electricity to his station. Read how this project evolved and what the outcome has been.

Case Studies

Tenn. Agency Improves Annual Billing by $2 Million

Since implementing Motion F5 tablets throughout its fleet of emergency response vehicles, Sumner County EMS has experienced substantial improvements in both its billing process and the ability to provide the highest level of care to its patients. Read more about the decision-making process that lead the agency to outfitting its fleet with these devices, plus how the devices have transformed data collection for Sumner medics.

Editorial Spotlight: EMS Innovations 2010

July is Innovations Month on EMSResponder.com and we will be featuring exclusive coverage drawn from this year's EMS State of the Sciences Conference (also known as the Gathering of Eagles)--the prestigious yearly conclave at which EMS medical directors from the nation's largest cities meet to talk about cutting-edge issues and their latest interventions and innovations--that examines ways in which EMS can provide better foundations and contribute to stronger structures. This week: EMS Driving Care: As EMS grows in sophistication and capability, the methods and tools and interventions we employ in doing so will directly determine what our hospitals do next, and how.

EMS on the Hill: June-Aug 2010

Give Me Some Air: The Power of Social Media for Emergency Services

The latest edition of our EMS on the Hill newsletter profiles how agencies are using social media to convey information to the public when disaster strikes.

Featured EMS Magazine Article: July 2010

Medication Considerations

Geriatric and obstetric patients pose specific challenges when it comes to drug administration. This article reviews anatomical and physiological differences specific to drug administration for geriatric and obstetric patients and explains drug safety for obstetrical patients.

Continuing Education

Geriatric Abuse

In general, abuse of elders, like abuse of children or intimate partners, is a recurring "pattern of coercive tactics that abusers use to gain and maintain power and control over the elderly." The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) states that elder abuse is "various types of abuse against someone age 60 or 65 and older." The abuse may have begun well before the patient became elderly. Intimate partner violence can persist for decades. Relationships also change or worsen over time with life and health changes. Types of abuse can include physical, sexual and emotional.

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.

Additional CE Articles

• Pediatric Drug Administration
• Febrile Seizures
• Facial Trauma
• Abdominal Trauma

CE Videocasts

• How Do You Know CPAP Is Working?
• Therapeutic Hypothermia in EMS
• The Power of Capnography to Guide Respiratory Care
• ECG Clues to Identify the Site of Occlusion in Acute Myocardial Ischemia/Infarction

This CE activity is approved by EMS Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for .5 CEUs.

The EMS Squadcast

The Resucitation Academy and Epinephrine Shortages

Join host Tim Perkins for the sophomore episode of the EMS Squadcast, a podcast series dedicated to discussions relevant to the world of EMS today, as he welcomes Dr. Mickey Eisenberg to talk about the Resuscitation Academy, a new program created by King County (WA) and Seattle's Medic One program to help EMS administrators improve cardiac resuscitation rates in their communities. Also, Matt Zavadsky and David Lamb from Medstar EMS in Forth Worth, TX, talk about how their agency is handling the current shortage of epinephrine.

Reading Room

Author Interviews and Writing Advice

Tip of the month: Before you start writing an article, do your homework. Google your topic and find out what's been written. Check Amazon and, to the extent they still exist, libraries. Identify possible outlets. Contact editors and ask about their areas of interest and current content needs. Book and periodical publishers generally offer author guidelines with submission instructions. They often have differences in readership, style and tone. Find out who might be a good match for what you're writing? For more tips, see Ten Steps to Publication.

Business News

Escambia County EMS and Fire-Rescue Rely on Telestaff to Clean Up in the Gulf

Principal Decision Systems International (PDSI), a leader in public safety employee scheduling and communication solutions, wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Escambia County Emergency Medical Services and Escambia Fire-Rescue for their integral role in the ongoing cleanup efforts of the Gulf of Mexico. Earlier this month, Escambia County EMS was called upon to safeguard the 1,500 workers each day cleaning up Pensacola's shoreline and waterways from the Alabama state line to Santa Rosa County, in 100 degree heat and humidity.

Website of the Week

Next Generation Public Safety

Motorola offers a collection of perspectives from thought leaders, instant updates from government and industry analysts, and the latest news and resources relating to public safety communications.

Featured Job

Director of EMS, San Juan College, Farmington, NM

The Director of the EMS and Paramedic Program reports to the Dean of the School Trades and Technology and is responsible for the EMT and Paramedic Program by conducting and managing the Certificate and Associate Degree First Responder, EMT-B, EMT-I and Paramedic Programs. Duties include supervision and evaluation of full- and part-time faculty and staff; orienting new instructors and arranging orientation in clinical facilities; and creating and directing systematic review, evaluation, and revision of curriculum using New Mexico State Board criteria; developing/updating program materials.

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: Addressing Patients

This week we ask: How do you most commonly address patients? Click here to let us know your thoughts.

Last week, we asked: Do you always call in sick when you're feeling poorly?

• Never: 20%
• Rarely: 56%
• Usually: 5%
• Always: 2%

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.

California OTS Announces New Traffic Safety Grants

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has announced the award of over $67 million for 198 traffic safety grants to agencies and communities across the state. The new grants will be used to build upon the efforts that have seen dramatic declines in deaths and injuries on California's roadways in recent years. The funds, which come from federal sources, will be administered by the Office of Traffic Safety, a part of the State's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

Enter to Win a Scholarship to EMS EXPO 2010

Nominations for the Robert G. Nixon EMS EXPO Scholarship Program must be received by August 2. Don't miss this opportunity to receive a scholarship to attend EMS EXPO 2010, which will be held in Dallas, TX, September 27-October 1. The scholarship consists of a 3-day core program registration to EMS EXPO and $1,000 stipend to cover travel and expenses.

Noticeboard

EMS Forums

Do you have something you would like to get off your chest or a question you just can't find the answer to? Then stop by our EMS Forums to spend some time with other members of the EMS community.

EMS Responder Daily Tips

Check out EMSResponder's daily tips. During July, we will feature top EMS innovations as selected by members of EMS Magazine's editorial advisory board. Today's top innovation is courtesy of James Augustine, MD, FACEP, Director of Clinical Operations, Emergency Medicine Physicians: "The saline lock. No more dangling intravenous lines and unnecessary fluids." If you have a tip you would like to share with us, e-mail Editorial Director Nancy Perry.

EMS Magazine July 2010

The July issue of EMS Magazine is now available online. Articles include a profile of Seattle/King County's Resuscitation Academy, Quality Improvement: Retrospective Review, Seizure Control and Medication Considerations for Geriatric and OB Patients.

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 20-25: Firehouse Expo, Baltimore, MD
• July 26-30: Pinnacle Conference, San Diego, CA
• August 6-7: International EMS Competition, Utica, NY
• 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

• New Tools Track Heat Illnesses in N.C.
• Penn Township Considers Ambulance Lease to Assist Volunteers
• 15 Injured in FDNY Ambulance Collision
• New Hampshire Investigates EMT Certifications
• N.C. Firefighters Revive Toddler Who Fell in Pool
• Changes Made After False Death Declaration in Maryland
• N.Y. Law Closes Blood 'Loophole' in DWI Arrest Procedures
• Woman Makes Allegations Against Ind. Ambulance Tech
• UK Boy Impaled by Mountain Bike Handlebar
• Cause of N.C. Ambulance Wreck Is Under Investigation
• Collective Bargaining Could Become Law

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.