News

This Week in EMS: EMTs Protest Suspensions...Ambulance Overbilling Lawsuit...Fireworks Safety

07/01/2010

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Mass. EMTs: Punishment for Fake Certification Is Unfair

EMTs say Massachusetts is unjustly penalizing them for signing up for certification courses that were never held.

Lawsuit Accuses Dallas Fire-Rescue of Ambulance Overbilling

The city of Dallas could owe the federal government $40 million or more if a whistle-blower lawsuit's allegations of fraud involving billing for ambulance services prove true.

Irishman Faked Heart Attack to Get 999 Ride Home

Anxious to get a lift home, the man dialed 999 and then faked his own illness, forcing hard-pressed ambulance staff to rush to assist him.

Experts Estimate 7,000 to Be Injured by Fireworks on 4th

There are two age groups of people at the greatest risk of injury this weekend: teenagers between 15 and 19, and children between 5 and 9 years old, according to the association. They are more than twice as likely to be hurt playing with fireworks.

EMS Training Center

Skills Station: Initial Patient Assessment

The initial patient assessment, also referred to as the primary survey, is a critical component of prehospital care. While the steps involved in an initial patient assessment can be presented as separate and distinct tasks, providers should recognize that the tasks can be performed almost simultaneously.

The Corner Office: Practical Management for EMS Leaders

Key Performance Indicators

The goal of defining performance indicators is to determine what is important to your agency and begin tracking it. Once you have developed a pool of data, it is time to analyze it, develop a plan for change, and then continue to evaluate so you can determine if the changes have been effective.

Careers & Finances

When the Lights & Sirens Stop: Why You Need a Retirement Plan

As EMS has evolved into a more long-term career option over the past 30 years, so has the need to think about keeping your financial future as secure as possible. The sooner you are financially prepared, the better off you'll be.

The EMS Squadcast

EMS Education and Excited Delirium

The EMS Squadcast is a new podcast series dedicated to discussions relevant to the world of EMS today. Join host Tim Perkins for the premiere episode as he discusses two recent articles by Ray Barishansky and Skip Kirkwood on EMS education that were featured in the May and June issues of EMS Magazine, investigates the controversial topic of excited delirium with Firehouse Expo speaker Dr. Michael Dailey, and much, much more!

Reading Room

Author Interviews and Writing Advice

Don't miss our Q&A with Eric Liddy, author of The E.R. Loading Dock, a collection of stories contributed by members of an online community that has come together to share common experiences in the field of EMS.

Editorial Spotlight: EMS Innovations 2010

July is Innovations Month on EMSResponder.com and we will be featuring exclusive coverage drawn from this year's Gathering of Eagles conference--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: Collar Me Bad: There's little in EMS more automatic than applying cervical collars to patients with possible neck injuries. That doing this might in some cases harm them is a horrifying prospect. But that's an implication raised by research published earlier this year by the Journal of Trauma.

Featured EMS Magazine Article: July 2010

The Way It Was: Project Captures Pioneering Docs' Stories on Video

The initial Pioneers of Paramedicine were crowned in May, and part of the project captured their perspectives on video for posterity. Drs. Leonard Cobb, J. Michael Criley, Walter Graf and Eugene Nagel were honored for the leading roles they played in helping create their cities' paramedic programs. As part of the project, Cobb and Nagel were interviewed by Randolph Mantooth, star of the seminal TV series Emergency! and a dedicated current advocate of EMS. Criley and Graf were interviewed by Baxter Larmon, PhD, MICP, director of the Center for Prehospital Care at UCLA.

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

CE Videocasts

These presentations, sponsored by Philips, discuss a variety of prehospital clinical topics. After viewing these videos, take the CE tests that accompany these lessons at www.rapidce.com.

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.

Business News

Saint Thomas Completes Third Critical Care Paramedic Licensure Program

Saint Thomas Emergency Medical Services (STEMS) and the Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network, both divisions of Saint Thomas Health Services, are pleased to announce the completion of their third Critical Care Paramedic Licensure Program. This year's participants completed the state licensure examination at a 90% passage rate, nearly 40% above the state average.

Website of the Week

National Association of State EMS Officials

NASEMSO is a respected voice for national EMS policy with comprehensive concern and commitment for the development of effective, integrated, community-based, universal and consistent EMS systems.

Featured Job

Flight Paramedic, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC

Provides comprehensive emergency medical care to the critically ill and injured during helicopter/ground transport from accident scenes, referring hospitals and, under the supervision of medical staff, to patients admitted to the trauma resuscitation unit. Coordinates requests for transportation of patients by helicopter and ambulance.

Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.

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Reader Poll : Sleep Deprivation in EMS

This week we ask: How often do you work on less than eight hours' sleep? 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.

Federal Grant for Defibrillators in Rural Tenn. Communities

The Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network, a network service provided by Saint Thomas Health Services, was recently awarded a $100,000 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the placement of full-rescue AEDs in 14 rural communities throughout the network.

EMS EXPO 2010 Scholarship Program

Nominations are now open for the Robert G. Nixon EMS EXPO Scholarship Program, which awards two scholarships each year for EMS providers to attend EMS EXPO. The scholarship consists of a 3-day core program registration to EMS EXPO and $1,000 stipend to cover travel and expenses. Nominations must be received by August 2.

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. 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. This month's cover report highlights the resuscitation academy, where system leaders from around the world come to Seattle/King County to learn the secrets of the region's survival rates.

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

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com

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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 EMSResponder.com, please e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.