My EMS1 column has been named a finalist in the 2018 ABM Jesse H. Neal Awards, a b-to-b award program honoring editorial excellence. Three columns are featured in the ballot. What President Trump gets wrong about the opioid epidemic Don’t ask paramedics to decide if opioid overdose victims live or die It’s time to talk climate change […]
Tag: Overdose
1. President Trump’s impact on EMS and the opioid crisis On the campaign trail candidate Trump promised voters he would “end the opioid epidemic in America.” For a President who repeatedly reminds Americans that he is a genius, best dealmaker, top negotiator, and pro-life who knows the best people his actions to keep his promise […]
The President’s opioid commission issued its (overdue) draft report this week. The commission makes many reasonable recommendations, but has seemingly failed to consider the expertise of EMS in understanding the epidemic, the thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of patients being saved by EMS, the opportunity for EMS to steer addicts towards treatment, and the staggering costs […]
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EMS Today 2017 Session Reports
EMS Today 2017 in Salt Lake CIty was a whirlwind of education sessions, exhibit hall traverses and visiting with friends. It was also an Italian food festival for me … I turned in receipts for Sbarro, Bucca De Boppa and Olive Garden. I attended conference sessions based on this loose criteria: Meeting an editorial opportunity […]
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EMS World Expo 2016 Day 3 Coverage
On the final morning of EMS World Expo 2016 in New Orleans I covered two more sessions for the EMS1 special coverage. How body-worn cameras improve EMS documentation Why chronic pain is a neurodegenerative disease My final hours at EMS World Expo were spent exploring the exhibit hall, talking to members of the EMS1 Advisory […]
Working on a cup of Trauma Mama from the Java Medic and catching up with my favorite EMS blogs and news sites. Here are the articles I have worked through: Ebook Announcement: You Make the Call The Happy Medic has collected his You Make the Call blog posts into an eBook. Ketamine For Anger Management […]
Narcan for everyone was one of my top developments in EMS during 2014. With a growing or worsening opioid overdose epidemic in the U.S. the call for public access naloxone continues. CVS made big news announcing naloxone without a prescription would be available in at least 14 states. I called on EMS to support non-prescription narcan […]
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Narcotics Overdose: EMS Response Tips
Last week I wrote to the Everyday EMS Tips email subscribers that I have received several questions from readers, as well as friends and family, about the increase in heroin overdose incidents and deaths. Increase in Use or Increase in Media Coverage Narcotics overdose has been a widely discussed topic in local and national media. […]