1. Lawful on-duty firearm carry for W. Va. responders (EMS1.com) W. Va. HB 2916 would allow supervisors to give first responders permission to carry guns if they have successfully completed training and attend annual qualification classes. Fire Chief Dave Caudill said he fully supports the bill as it helps keep first responders safe. “On more than one […]
Tag: Opioids
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Idea I had for an EMS1 article, well-executed by Alex Bryant, which posted on July 19. Which opioids are Americans Googling the most? And a slightly different angle on Google searches related to drug withdrawal in the Washington Post. Analysis | What our Google searches reveal about the drug epidemic I can also share that […]
EMS has been on the frontlines of the opioid overdose epidemic. Long before presidential candidates, national news outlets, and U.S. Senators were discussing the scope of the epidemic and the billions of dollars needed to reverse overdoses, provide treatment and stem the flow of legal and legal narcotics EMS was treating overdose patients. Long after […]
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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 […]
Drug overdose and addiction was the focus of an all day summit at the Wisconsin EMS Association working together conference. I believe the opioid overdose epidemic is the top problem facing EMS, emergency medicine and public health. I was glad to see the topic receive serious and meaningful coverage at WEMSA. Three articles from the summit […]
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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 […]