Check out this fine summary of CDC tips for cleaning ambulances and other patient transport vehicles to prevent disease transmission from pathogens like H1N1. The 2nd tip describes cleaning driver compartment because driver may wear gloves while driving. The driver wearing their patient care gloves while driving is my top EMS pet peeve. Don’t do […]
A National Expert Panel, convened by the CDC, has recently developed and deployed a Field Triage Decision Scheme for EMS providers to select the most appropriate level of care for trauma patients. The decision scheme uses four criteria – physiologic, anatomic, MOI, and special considerations – to make the determination. It also allows and encourages […]
Although H1N1 (swine flu) has faded from the evening news headlines it has not gone away. This map from the CDC shows the geographic spread of H1N1 in the United States as of July 11. What is the incidence of H1N1 in your state? Scroll down for Everyday EMS Tips on staying up-to-date about incidence […]
June 27, 2009 is National HIV Testing Day. According to the CDC National HIV Testing Day, “promotes testing as an important strategy to prevent and control transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States.” As an EMS professional you know the important of selecting and using personal protective equipment to minimize the risk […]
A Centers of Disease Control and Prevention study shows that the number of American adults reporting a disability is rapidly increasing. 47.5 million adults report a disability – as shown in this graph. As EMS providers you know the growing limitations of patients – inability to stand without support, not being able to walk short […]
When my good friend began screaming that he could not see I knew something was seriously wrong. A bottlerocket had just exploded right in front of his face. He had superficial and partial thickness burns around his left eye. Fortunately, he had a normal return of vision. According to a 2005 CDC study more than […]
I can’t imagine anything more embarrassing for an EMS provider than to be pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. May 18-31 is the nationwide seatbelt enforcement campaign. Here are 5 Everyday EMS Tips reasons to wear your seatbelt in the front AND rear compartment of the ambulance, as well as your privately owned vehicle: […]
The CDC recently tweeted (@cdchep) 24 facts about Hepatitis. Wednesday May 20 was World Hepatitis Day. Worldwide one in twelve people are living with hepatitis. EMS providers are at high risk for exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Therefore it is important to know these facts about hepatitis.
There is an overwhelming amount of information being produced and distributed on the web about Swine Influenza A (H1N1). http://swine-flu.alltop.com/ is an aggregation of timely and credible news sources on swine flu (H1N1). The top swine-flu Alltop feeds are from the CDC. CDC.gov/swineflu now redirects to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ Remember to visit paramedic.alltop.com for the top paramedic, […]
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: