1. Glucagon, yes we can! (EMS1.com) Harvard researchers looked at some NEMSIS (ePCR data) and speculated EMTs can’t use glucagon – a medication to treat hypoglycemia. Many EMTs inside (and outside) the U.S. are authorized and trained to administer the ~$200 per dose medication, but treat low blood sugar with food, oral glucose, or prepare […]
Category: EMS Tips
1. West Va. Fire Chief featured in Oscar-nominated documentary (FireRescue1.com) Heroin(e), a Netflix documentary features three women as they fight the opioid epidemic in Huntington, West Virginia. Huntington Fire Chief Jan Rader is on the front lines of the epidemic and thinks society as a whole needs to change their outlook on opioid addicts. “We […]
1. Cops transporting shooting victim Lifesaving requires fast decisions and improvisation. Cops in Cleveland transported a shooting victim rather than wait for a delayed ambulance. “FOX8 reported that officers found the shooting victim on the front porch of a home after responding to reports of gunshots. Released body cam footage shows the officers treating the 19-year-old […]
1. Police say driver asleep at the wheel “An EMS provider driving an ambulance that crashed and resulted in the death of an EMT fell asleep behind the wheel, according to police.” This tragic incident happened just a week after the release of 5 evidence-based guidelines for fatigue management in EMS. Recommend using fatigue/sleepiness survey instruments to […]
1. Opioid Public Health Emergency Declaration Renewed FierceHealthcare reports “The Trump administration has renewed the declaration that officially categorized the opioid epidemic as a public health emergency shortly before it was set to expire.” Since declaring the the public health emergency in October there has been little to no action from the Trump administration. “Although […]
1. EMT Mousa Chaban, 32, died of injuries after ambulance collision (EMS1.com) “Chaban was partially ejected from the ambulance and died from his injuries.” The driver of the ambulance, Christine Wesner, failed to stop at a red light, and “allegedly fell asleep and crashed into another vehicle.” Resource: 5 evidence-based guidelines for fatigue management in EMS 2. […]
1. Mass. considers monitored injection sites What if injecting heroin was in a controlled, monitored and clean environment? The state’s opioid battle has prompted some lawmakers to endorse the idea of “supervised injection sites” as another way to reduce overdose deaths. “The Massachusetts Medical Society and the Massachusetts Hospital Association back the idea. In a […]
1. Evidence-based fatigue management guidelines NASEMSO teamed up with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to perform a comprehensive evaluation to provide recommendations on how to fight EMS fatigue, such as napping during shifts and using caffeine. The guidelines recommend five practices: Use of fatigue/sleepiness surveys to measure and monitor EMS personnel fatigue. Limit […]
1. Virtual and augmented reality games train teachers, first responders There are lots of ways to prepare teachers, students and first responders for an active shooter incident. A grant-funded project is using virtual reality (Military1.com) to simulate an active shooter incident at a school. “The United States Army and Homeland Security Department are in the midst […]
1. Influenza is everywhere … protect yourself The flu is widespread in all 50 states, according to the CDC. Protect yourself from influenza: Get the flu shot. Wash your hands before and after patient contact. Give oxygen, when indicated, otherwise have the patient wear a surgical mask. Thoroughly clean ambulance surfaces, including the cot, after […]