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EMS Tips

Online Pandemic Influenza Training FREE for EMTs and Paramedics

A two part training program on Pandemic Influenza is now available at no cost to EMTs, Paramedics, first responders, and others interested in learning about the pre-hospital response to a pandemic. The two part training program gives EMS providers important information to define a pandemic, understand causes of pandemic influenza, recognize general patient symptoms, and […]

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Dispatch Tips EMS Tips Health and Wellness Operations

EMS Pandemic Influenza Guidelines

EMS Pandemic Influenza Guidelines for Statewide Adoption were published in May 2007. Nearly two years later EMS agencies are revisiting those guidelines as public concern and media attention about Swine Influenza A (H1N1) grows. EMS Managers should revisit their pandemic influenza plans and make sure the following planning and preparation efforts are underway:

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EMS Tips Firefighting Health and Wellness Operations

Emergencies with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf/Blind People

Video on how to respond to emergencies with deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf/blind people is available for viewing from the Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN). Some of the tips in the video include:

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EMS Tips Firefighting Operations

Rail Crossings: Zero Accidents, Zero Injuries, and Zero Fatalities

April 27 to May 23, 2009 is Rail Safety Week. In the US 1399 injuries and 744 fatalities were reported in railroad grade crossing and trespassing incidents. CN railroad has a goal of zero accidents, injuries, and fatalities. With more than 228,000 rail grade crossings in the United States it is inevitable that your ambulance […]

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EMS Tips Operations

Cleaning the Ambulance – to prevent spread of pathogens

I bet you are paying a little more attention to cleaning the ambulance with all the attention, in-service trainings, and patient questions about Swine Influenza (H1N1). PandemicFlu.gov has issued Interim Guidance for Cleaning EMS Transport Vehicles. Take a few minutes and read those guidelines. Save yourself a little bit of time and energy by following […]

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EMS Tips Students

EMT Students: Change to NREMT Bleeding and Shock Skill Sheet

The NREMT bleeding and shock skill sheet has changed recently. If direct pressure is not successful for severe extremity bleeding proceed immediately to application of a tourniquet. Learn more about this change from our friend Jamie Davis in episode 168 of the MedicCast.. This change was also part of the EMSEduCast episode 10 discussion with […]

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EMS Tips

Understanding Swine Flu: 10 Resources for Paramedics and EMTS

The spread of swine influenza reports are dominating this morning’s news. The resources available for EMS to understand Swine Influenza development, transmission, treatment, and prevention are growing rapidly.A lot of just-in-time training is happening through emails, bulletins, intranet and blog posts. EverydayEMSTips has compiled a list of resources, information, and websites that will be helpful […]

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EMS Tips

Swine Flu Infection Control Guidelines

On April 20, 2009 the CDC published Interim Guidance on Infection Control and Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza. The guidelines are written for public health and hospital personnel. There is no specific mention of EMT or Paramedic field contact with patients with suspected or known respiratory illness from the Swine […]

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Dispatch Tips EMS Tips Operations

Flu Outbreak: EMS Best Practice Recommendations

To-date much of the information about the spread of swine influenza has pertained to the general public, hospital personnel, and public health departments. The EMS Chiefs of Canada, drawing off of their 2003 experience with the SARS epidemic, has issued a set of best practices for EMS agency administrators, EMTs and Paramedics, and dispatchers. Read […]

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EMS Tips

CDC Swine Flu Information Video

The CDC is producing just-in-time training videos, podcasts, and information about Swine Influenza. This video was released on April 25, 2009. Watch for information about the swine flu virus (H1N1), transmission, symptoms, prevention tips, and when to seek emergency medical care. <iframe frameborder=”0″ marginheight=”0″ marginwidth=”0″ height=”141″ src=”http://transparency.cit.nih.gov/widgets/swinelinks.cfm” mce_src=”http://transparency.cit.nih.gov/widgets/swinelinks.cfm” id=”SwineFluInfo” scrolling=”no” width=”197″ name=”SwineFluInfo”></iframe>