CentreLearn Solutions Presents Dr. Todd Baker today, Tuesday, May 15, 2012 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT Dr. Todd Baker, MD, FACEP, will describe the techniques his team utilized to save lives on a daily basis in the world’s premier combat hospital during the height of the troop surge in Baghdad, Iraq. He will also describe interesting cases from his tour, and will feature a question and answer session with viewers. Objectives: Discuss pathophysiology of trauma Discuss changes in trauma care over the past 5 years Discuss parameters for immediate decision making Discuss hemodynamics and…
Paramedic
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Most Topular Stories
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Webinar May 15, 2012: Lessons from the Baghdad ER
Everyday EMS Tips15 May 2012 | 7:18 am -
9/11 cleanup anniversary event to honor responders
EMS1 Daily News15 May 2012 | 5:56 pmThe Associated Press NEW YORK — Rescue and recovery workers who helped in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are planning to gather at the 9/11 memorial this month to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the official end of the cleanup at ground zero. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the May 30 evening event on Tuesday, and warned spots are limited. Bloomberg is the chairman of ... -
ImageTrend Field Bridge Xpress Preview
ParamedicTV.com - Newest Clips15 May 2012 | 12:08 pm -
Classroom and Workplace Violence: Episode 135
EMSEdUCast24 Apr 2012 | 12:57 pmOn tonight’s EMS Educast returning guest Catherine Mattice joins the Co-host Greg, Rob, and Bill. Tonight’s discussion is on workplace violence and safety. The connection for educators is how do we better teach recognition of workplace violence, how to report it, and how to prevent workplace violence. Listen to this very interesting discussion. Have you been a victim of a bully or are you a bully? Share your experiences at Facebook.com/EMSEduCast. Catherine Mattice, MA, is a trainer, coach and consultant focused on eliminating negative workplace behaviors through her firm,… -
THE ETHICS OF DATA MINING IN HEALTHCARE
Gomerville29 Apr 2012 | 4:05 amMy last two posts were about data mining and the evils of it. I have also eluded to the fact that much of what I write in the future is going to come from the point of view of someone who wants to opt out of this system and maintain my privacy. I think that my privacy is a right that is being eroded by the very thing that I love, which is my electronic connection to other people. The companies and individuals who provide me with this connection also wish to make money by tracking my behavior. Many of the free services that are on the internet are not truly free. These services are…
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Everyday EMS Tips
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Webinar May 15, 2012: Lessons from the Baghdad ER
15 May 2012 | 7:18 amCentreLearn Solutions Presents Dr. Todd Baker today, Tuesday, May 15, 2012 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT Dr. Todd Baker, MD, FACEP, will describe the techniques his team utilized to save lives on a daily basis in the world’s premier combat hospital during the height of the troop surge in Baghdad, Iraq. He will also describe interesting cases from his tour, and will feature a question and answer session with viewers. Objectives: Discuss pathophysiology of trauma Discuss changes in trauma care over the past 5 years Discuss parameters for immediate decision making Discuss hemodynamics and… -
Memorable EMS Calls from Lancaster General Health #EMSWeek
14 May 2012 | 1:00 pmIn this video members of the Lancaster PA, Lancaster General Health EMS discuss their first calls, most memorable calls, and advancements in EMS. Listening to the providers I was really struck how many of the calls were about pediatric encounters, especially pediatric death. In many cases the providers were discussing preventable tragedies. Yesterday, while bike riding, I witnessed very troubling parental behavior. A male, presumably a father, was riding his riding lawn mower, cutting the grass, and drinking a beer (Miller Lite). As he drove around the yard a young girl, presumably a… -
Why Wait for #EMSWeek to Do These 20 Things
14 May 2012 | 7:39 amEMS Week is a week away, but you don’t need to wait until the official EMS Week to do any of these things: Increase your knowledge: sign-up for the free EMS Web Summit. Appreciate EMS in a different setting by reading a book by a paramedic/author. Join the conversation about EMS by leaving a comment on an EMS Blog. (another EMS bloggers network and a collection for fire and EMS blogs) Create a Facebook page for your EMS agency. (if you don’t know where to start check out the training from PIOSocialMediaTraining.com) Write a letter to your local newspaper editor about the value EMS… -
EMS Web Summit Preview
13 May 2012 | 7:00 amI had a chance to talk to Jim Hoffman, host of the upcoming EMS Web Summit, about the summit and the presentation I am delivering during the summit. There is still time to register for a great line-up of speakers and presentation topics. Thanks Jim for the chance to chat. -
Video: More MCI Drills for High School Students
12 May 2012 | 7:00 amEarlier this week I asked if scared straight drills worked for preventing prom night tragedy among high school students. Looking for videos to embed in your blog or department Facebook page? Consider the many videos available on YouTube that are very timely for Prom and Graduation season. Several readers alerted me to other videos to share: Pike County Ghost Out Ghost out … From the list of related videos this appears to be a common type of video production for schools during prom season. Consequences – students against destructive decisions Woodbury Public Safety does some…
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EMS1 Daily News
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9/11 cleanup anniversary event to honor responders
15 May 2012 | 5:56 pmThe Associated Press NEW YORK — Rescue and recovery workers who helped in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are planning to gather at the 9/11 memorial this month to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the official end of the cleanup at ground zero. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the May 30 evening event on Tuesday, and warned spots are limited. Bloomberg is the chairman of ... -
Conn. accident shows dangers of distracted driving
15 May 2012 | 3:40 pmBy Dave Collins The Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. — A teenage driver in Connecticut is under arrest after authorities said the distraction of a handheld cellphone caused her to fatally hit a 44-year-old jogger. The victim's father blames his death on "stupidity." The death of Kenneth Dorsey in Norwalk and the subsequent criminal charges against the 16-year-old driver come as other states are ... -
Study: Black cardiac victims less likely to receive bystander CPR
15 May 2012 | 3:11 pmTargeted News Service PHILADELPHIA — Black cardiac arrest victims who are stricken outside hospitals are less likely to receive bystander CPR and defibrillation on the scene than white patients, according to research that will be presented by a research team from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania today at the annual meeting of Society for Academic Emergency ... -
Latest development in bizarre emergency vehicles: Slambulance
15 May 2012 | 2:51 pmThis is so bizarre at so many levels. I can just see how this vehicle will be used: The scene opens with a woman standing in front of her house, looking distraught, cell phone in hand. The Slambulance pulls up. The driver lowers the window and says in her Texas drawl, "What seems to be the emergency, ma'am"" "Thank you so much for coming. You see, I can't dance. I should be able ... -
When I knew EMS was my calling
15 May 2012 | 2:35 pmLike many in my generation I grew up watching the seminal television show "Emergency!" While my childhood classmates dreamed of being firefighters or police officers, I was fascinated by the work of Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto. At that time EMS was being provided by volunteers, and I assumed that I had no future as a paramedic in my hometown. So I began college as a premed student, assuming I could parlay ...
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ParamedicTV.com - Newest Clips
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ImageTrend Field Bridge Xpress Preview
15 May 2012 | 12:08 pm -
IV lab in darkness
15 May 2012 | 9:00 amIn this exercise, students pull their source of light from a cup. They can get a mini flashlight, strobe light or glow sticks. The point of this is to create conditions similar to what paramedics encounter in the field. -
If dogs were paramedics...
15 May 2012 | 9:00 amIf dogs were paramedics, this is how they might go about resuscitating a patient. -
Airway management in the days of "Emergency!"
14 May 2012 | 6:43 amWhen it comes to airway management, things have changed significantly in EMS over the past few years. Check out the related article on EMS1. -
Randolph Mantooth: Reflections on 40th anniversary of "Emergency!"
9 May 2012 | 11:26 pmThis year marks the 40th anniversary of "Emergency!", a show that first exposed many audience members to the idea of paramedics. At Fire-Rescue Med 2011, Chief Wylie interviews actor Randy Mantooth, who played Johnny Gage on the show and has been a dedicated spokesman for emergency services ever since.
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EMSEdUCast
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Classroom and Workplace Violence: Episode 135
24 Apr 2012 | 12:57 pmOn tonight’s EMS Educast returning guest Catherine Mattice joins the Co-host Greg, Rob, and Bill. Tonight’s discussion is on workplace violence and safety. The connection for educators is how do we better teach recognition of workplace violence, how to report it, and how to prevent workplace violence. Listen to this very interesting discussion. Have you been a victim of a bully or are you a bully? Share your experiences at Facebook.com/EMSEduCast. Catherine Mattice, MA, is a trainer, coach and consultant focused on eliminating negative workplace behaviors through her firm,… -
EMS Credentialing: Episode 134
29 Mar 2012 | 1:34 pmRob and Bill, co-host of the EMSEduCast, are joined by guest Jon Friesen, Major – Education Manager for the Wichita/Sedgwick County EMS System Office of the Medical Director. Rob, Bill, and Jon speak about EMS credentialing. Jon Friesen (jfriesen@sedgwick.gov) serves as the Major – Education Manager for the Wichita/Sedgwick County EMS System Office of the Medical Director. In addition to his full time position with Sedgwick County, Jon is a principle in the Friesen Group where he works with organizations and individuals in organizational development, curriculum development and… -
Year 1 as an EMS Education Manager: Episode 133
22 Mar 2012 | 7:25 amBrian Lilley (blilley@tcad.net) joins the co-hosts of the EMS Educast Greg, Rob, and Bill to discuss Brian’s first year as an Education Manager at Taney County Ambulance District. Brian shares information about his role, challenges, successes and lessons learned. Links: Taney County AmbulanceDistrict (TCAD) College Degree Requirement for Paramedics column by Dr. Dave Ross at EMS1.com Co-Hosts: Greg Friese – connect at Blog.CentreLearn.com and EverydayEMSTips.com Rob Theriault – connect at Paramedic Tutor, EMS Connect and JEMSConnect Bill Toon – connect on… -
Paramedic Program Accreditation Update: Episode 132
15 Mar 2012 | 4:03 pmCo-hosts of the EMS Educast Greg, Rob, and Bill are joined by Kathy Robinson and Deb Cason to discuss the current status of National EMS Program Accreditation. Kathy Robinson (krobinson@nasemso.org) is the Program Manager for the National Association of State EMS Officials. Kathy is responsible for coordinating and staffing NASEMSO’s Education Agenda Implementation Team. Kathy is also a registered nurse and paramedic with 25 years of clinical experience and a former state EMS official. Deb Cason (debra.cason@utsouthwestern.edu) is the program director and associate professor of… -
Association of Field Performance and Cognitive Knowledge: Episode 131
23 Feb 2012 | 9:23 amIn this episode of the EMSEduCast we talk with Dr. Jon Studnek about EMS research. We specifically discuss research he has helped conduct related to cardiac arrest, airway management, and EMS education. We focus in on his recent publication, The Association Between Emergency Medical Services Field Performance Assessed by High-fidelity Simulation and the Cognitive Knowledge of Practicing Paramedics. Links: jonst@medic911.com – email Dr. Studnek if you would like a PDF copy of the article. Article Abstract from Academic Emergency Medicine Jonathan R. Studnek, PhD Jon completed his PhD in…
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Gomerville
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THE ETHICS OF DATA MINING IN HEALTHCARE
29 Apr 2012 | 4:05 amMy last two posts were about data mining and the evils of it. I have also eluded to the fact that much of what I write in the future is going to come from the point of view of someone who wants to opt out of this system and maintain my privacy. I think that my privacy is a right that is being eroded by the very thing that I love, which is my electronic connection to other people. The companies and individuals who provide me with this connection also wish to make money by tracking my behavior. Many of the free services that are on the internet are not truly free. These services are… -
THE TROUBLE WITH COOKIES
25 Apr 2012 | 8:52 pmAnyone who is interested in web security or anonymity will eventually become curious about cookies. However, very few users are aware of their existence. There is also a lot of misinformation about them. In this article I will attempt to present information on cookies in such a way that the average user can become a cookie ninja without having to have a bachelors degree in computer science. First of all, the term cookie is a bit odd. It comes from the term ‘magic cookie‘ which is an old school colloquialism that programmers used to refer to a small packet of data being passed… -
OPTING OUT
16 Apr 2012 | 4:38 amSeveral years ago I worked as a paramedic/firefighter for a very small department. We had a residential internet connection, and there was no real policy that spelled out appropriate use of this connection or any computer hooked up to it. Consequently, we accessed massive amounts of porn. In fact, many of us became connoisseurs of the medium. We often had contests to see who could “find the sickest crap on the internet in 10 minutes.” A fair and impartial judge would weigh the results and declare a winner. Often times the prize was not having to pay for a meal, or… -
CAPITALISM WITHOUT CONSUMERS
8 Aug 2011 | 3:10 amThis blog post has been many years in the making. I am not an economist, but I have some common sense. I’m not a politician, but I am not a crook so I feel like I can look at our two-party system and intelligently discuss how broken it is. I have been reading about our broken economy and what is wrong with both Republican and Democratic rhetoric, and I finally think I can point my finger at it. I know what is wrong. I also know the how to fix it. No one wants to hear it, but I know. And so I will attempt break this down in a digestible format for you here. Discussion is… -
DEFEND YOURSELF
3 Aug 2011 | 4:31 amA conversation about gun control came up today. I seem to be in the minority in Kentucky when I express my displeasure about gun ownership. I often get asked why I don’t approve of firearms. I have a standard answer that I like to give: “I have been a paramedic for 16 years. I have lost count of how many shootings I have responded to. All of these calls were crimes or accidents. People blow their toes off while cleaning guns. People shoot family members by accident. People kill other people during crimes. Not once have I ever responded to a shooting where someone successfully defended…
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The EMT Spot
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Crew Hospitalized After Ambulance Rollover
8 May 2012 | 9:52 pmA Sedgwick County, Kansas ambulance crew is in the hospital after a driver ran a red light and struck their vehicle with enough force to turn it on its side. [Read the whole story here] -
The First Ever EMS Web Summit is Here
4 May 2012 | 5:07 pmWould you like to be a part of history? On May 17th 2012 the first ever EMS Web Summit will be coming to an internet portal near you. You can enjoy top notch EMS education for industry leaders right from the comfort of your home computer. The first ever EMS Web Summit will bring together as many as 3,000 EMS peers to discus issues ranging from trauma care to EMS Mentorship, remote area medicine and cardiac arrest management. The Summit will start at 10AM and the pace will be fast with new speakers taking te online podium every forty minutes. This is a great, comfortable and cost effective… -
EMS Teaches Local Officers to Save Lives
4 May 2012 | 4:33 pmOn hostile scenes, EMT trained police officers could render life saving aid until medical help can be reached. To that end, Gig Harbor paramedics have been training local police officers in basic EMT skills. [Read the whole story here.] -
Protecting Your EMS Longevity
4 May 2012 | 10:37 amLongevity wasn’t something I thought too much about when I was in my twenties. As a new EMT my older, more experienced counterparts seemed to have lots of advice about protecting my long term career viability and I appreciated their input. But I rarely took their advice. Now it’s my turn to be the older, more experienced prehospital provider. It’s time for me to take my stab at the longevity subject. Yes, I know that giving you this advice makes me sound old. It’s a price I’m willing to pay. Your future is coming. You will, with almost certainty, arrive at your… -
Fire Chief Turns Stations Into Clinics
3 May 2012 | 7:16 pmA Colorado Springs fire chief is opening up his fire stations as free community clinics. [Read the whole story at EMS1]
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Fit Responder
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Tactical Training
9 May 2012 | 9:51 amTactical Training Tire Roll UP Stairs -
Field Day Tactical Training Fit Responder Style
9 May 2012 | 9:47 amTagged: fire ground fitness, fit for duty, tactical fitness, tactical training, tire flips -
Wellness at Work
7 May 2012 | 4:32 pmWellness is the hot buzz word in the workplace, employee wellness, workforce wellness, injury prevention, reduced absenteeism, reduced presenteeism, workforce productivity, stress reduction, nutrition, diet, weight loss the list is frankly endless! Ask an EMT, Fire Fighter or Officer; ask a laborer, desk jockey or VP what wellness is or what wellness means and you will get almost 100% different answers and this is where the problem begins. Wellness is an all encompassing umbrella term to cover everything and anything health related. Wellness at Work must mean different things to each… -
40 Important Ergonomics Tips for Students Online All the Time
2 May 2012 | 1:10 pm(http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2012/40-important-ergonomics-tips-for-students-online-all-the-time/ -
Creeping Obesity
30 Apr 2012 | 3:57 pmReading an article today on the staggering costs of obesity It dawned on me that besides diabetes running rampant in all ages, heart attacks in 20 year old’s, strokes in teens and added fuel costs from cars having to move more weight from point A to B we as a culture are missing the point. Sure all these things are happening and we can blame everything from sugar and processed foods to computers and video games BUT h the bottom line is that we just need to move. Look at the data (and I look at a LOT of data and studies) and the recommendation is always the same, fitness and good…
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Rogue Medic
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How the JPM failure of risk management is very EMS
15 May 2012 | 6:00 pm- JPM (JPMorgan Chase & Co.) has reported to shareholders that they had a loss of $2 billion on a hedge that didn’t work. A hedge? The FBI joins the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission and regulators in Britain in investigating the loss on trades meant to help protect JPMorgan against credit risk. Instead, the complex trades backfired, causing a huge hit to the bank’s bottom line and its reputation.[1] The more complex things are, the more things that can go wrong. A contraption that is as complicated as a Rube Goldberg design is probably not going to… -
This Thursday is the EMS Web Summit
15 May 2012 | 1:00 pm- Don’t click on the images. They will only take you to larger versions of the same image. Click on the link right below this sentence. Link to EMS Web Summit home page. I am reposting this with a few changes and as a reminder that this will be in two days. The EMS Web Summit is free and you will be able to ask questions of the presenters. Kelly Grayson’s presentation is “Granny Has a Fever” (I did not know what the topic would be when I wrote the original post). Rommie Duckworth’s presentations look as if they are going to be in the opposite order… -
Influence of Sex on the Out-of-hospital Management of Chest Pain – Part II
15 May 2012 | 7:00 amPart I was written in 2010, so I am a bit late in continuing to ridicule this example of bad research. How do we determine what is good care for our patients? By having our treatment follow the category that dispatch dispatch assigned the call? I used to work in a county, where this did appear to be the case. The medics would become very upset with dispatch if they did not receive a lot of information about the patient prior to arriving on scene. Dispatchers would express surprise when I would tell them that I did not care about the information they could obtain over the telephone from some… -
The Upside Down, in a Ditch, During a Tornado Intubation
14 May 2012 | 5:00 pm- Whenever pathetic intubation success rates are discussed, this complex, almost impossible intubation becomes one of the excuses for the low intubation success rates. The problem with the example is that we are supposed to assume that intubation is the right thing for this patient. Wrong. How hypoxic are we trying to make the patient? How long are we trying to delay extrication? If the patient needs an airway right now, why are we messing around with an endotracheal tube, rather than using our heads? Don’t we have more important things to do that stroke ourselves in… -
Keeping ALS Out of Resuscitation
13 May 2012 | 7:00 am- Why do we work so hard at keeping resuscitation rates low? Rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the United States are dismal. A national study showed that only 31% of patients with cardiac arrest treated out-of-hospital received CPR from a bystander.1 The low rates of bystander CPR, a procedure developed over 50 years ago, is particularly notable when compared with the great progress that has been made in making a much newer technology—percutaneous coronary angioplasty—highly accessible.[1] We could recognize this dismal level of bystander CPR chest compressions. In…
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Wilderness Medical Associates
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Epinephrine ampules withdrawn
30 Apr 2012 | 10:08 amThe following was posted at the FDA website: “American Regent Initiates Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Epinephrine Injection, USP, 1:1000, 1mL Ampules Lot #1395 Due to Discoloration and Small Visible. Regent is conducting a nationwide voluntary recall to the Retail/Hospital level of the following product: Epinephrine Injection, USP, 1:1000, 1 mL Ampules NDC #0517-1071-25 Lot #1395, Exp Date: July 2012″ If you are using ampules check the dates and lot numbers listed above. This is just another reminder that epinephrine shoud be visually inspected before use. It should be clear… -
Newly Revised: Wilderness Medicine Field Guides
6 Apr 2012 | 9:58 amWe are pleased to announce the publication of the newly revised, spiral-bound Field Guide of Wilderness & Rescue Medicine and the fold-out Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Guide. Each reflects our understanding of current advances in the medicine utilized in wilderness and low-resource settings; while both retain their simplicity and practical utility. We use the orange version for all our courses except the WFA. This comprehensive yet concise guide covers a wide array of topics. They include: basic first aid, as well as spine and musculoskeletal management; environmental medical topics;… -
Course Subscriber: Receive notifications when courses are added
13 Oct 2011 | 12:39 pmWant to be Notified of New Courses? Course Subscriber is a service dedicated to notifying students when courses are added to wildmed.com. You choose the criteria: Type of course, the distance you are willing to travel, and dates that work with yourschedule. This is a useful tool if you want to know when viable recertification options become available. Course Subscriber may also be used if you are a WAFA (or AWFA) student looking for Bridge courses to further your training. How to Access Course Subscriber Follow this link and complete a quick registration form. It’s that simple! You will… -
Tractions Splints in Wilderness Medicine
13 Sep 2011 | 10:06 amUnder the right conditions, we have no particular problem with traction splints for femur fractures. They can make moving an injured person easier and less painful. But there are a number of issues related to prolonged application of improvised devices and their infrequent practice and use that concern us. Let me try to summarize them. 1. There is no convincing medical evidence that traction splints provide consistent benefit for comfort or long term outcome. Our instructors, with decades of work experience as paramedics, nurses and physicians confirm this. Even when… -
Injecting Antihistamines: The Benefits and Proper Administration
5 Sep 2011 | 8:06 amQ: We are are in the process of training our staff to administer injections and our nurse mentioned administering Benadryl in a vial as an injection. It seems to make perfect sense that you would give someone with a compromised airway an injection if possible rather than a pill to swallow, but I haven’t heard of anyone doing this in a backcountry setting. I would love to hear any thoughts on this you may have. Although I would agree that one should not give a pill or liquid to someone with a swollen airway, anaphylaxis can occur without airway involvement. More importantly, however, I…
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paramedics - Google News
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Paramedics' talks with govt on service rules 'inconclusive' - DAWN.com
15 May 2012 | 10:19 pmParamedics' talks with govt on service rules 'inconclusive'DAWN.comLAHORE, May 15: Two meetings of the representatives of agitating paramedics with the senior government officials for service structure and other demands remained inconclusive on Tuesday. The first meeting was held between Punjab Paramedics Alliance Paramedics observe black day, stage sit-inThe Nation, Pakistanall 2 news articles » -
NBC2 Investigators: Ambulance meds in short supply - NBC2 News
15 May 2012 | 4:54 pmNBC2 Investigators: Ambulance meds in short supplyNBC2 NewsA nationwide drug shortage is impacting paramedics in Southwest Florida. In an emergency, paramedics rely on certain tools to save your life; but for the past year, EMS officials in Collier, Lee, and Charlotte Counties all say they've run into and more » -
EMT: Giddings, under assumed name, was at McKinney's trailer when paramedics ... - LubbockOnline.com
15 May 2012 | 2:05 pmEMT: Giddings, under assumed name, was at McKinney's trailer when paramedics LubbockOnline.comThe first paramedic to enter Russell McKinney's trailer testified this morning that John Ellis Giddings, one of two men accused of murder in McKinney's death, was inside the trailer when she entered. By BY WALT NETT The first paramedic to enter Russell and more » -
Medical alert tattoos a growing trend - CBC.ca
15 May 2012 | 11:02 amCBC.caMedical alert tattoos a growing trendCBC.caBut critics of the practice say paramedics and emergency room doctors might not notice the tattoos, possibly leading to incorrect treatment. "On the surface it doesn't sound like a bad idea, but there's a few issues that we have with it," said Robert Medical tattoos on the rise: ReportToronto SunMedical Tattoos becoming a RageFrench TribuneMedical Tattoos, On the Rise in Canada, Are Potentially DangerousInsidermedicineall 81 news articles » -
EMSA Paramedics From The 45th IBCT Return Home - KTUL (blog)
15 May 2012 | 10:46 amEMSA Paramedics From The 45th IBCT Return HomeKTUL (blog)A local company helps out an injured veteran. Sergeant Scott Maxwell of Claremore is recovering in a hospital in North Carolina. He suffered a liver injury as he prepared to come home from overseas. AfterMore >> A local company helps out an injured and more »
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Pedro the Paramedic
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Ambulance Response Times in 21st Century America
27 Apr 2012 | 9:41 amAmbulance Response Times in 21st Century America- or " I called 20 minutes ago, where the hell is the ambulance?"Not long ago I read a news report about a patient who had a bad outcome because an ambulance did not reach him soon enough- a tragic but familiar story I think. Here in The City response times of 20 minutes or more are not uncommon- fortunately a good 90% of our EMS calls are horseshit, but what about that other 10%. Hmm- that's a problem.So people let's make this short and sweet- as long as the general public continues to abuse the 911 system in the manner they… -
A Paramedics Guide to Lying
12 Apr 2012 | 6:57 pmOne of the first things you learn working as a Paramedic in EMS is that everyone is a liar. They all lie- grandma, grandpap, the street people, the junkies, the EMS managers and the politicians. The best way to beat a liar is to be a liar- hopefully this quick guide will get you started on a life long love of the art of deception.Ready? Well let's get goin'...Keep it simple- remember you're lying so the less you have to remember the better. Junkies always get caught because they can't shut up and their lies just get incredibly complex. Politicians do the same thing but for some reason we let… -
C'mon Man- Now You've Made a Patient Cry?
7 Apr 2012 | 7:18 pmYes- it's true. Just a couple of weeks ago I had words with one of the most inept Medics in The City- leaving him a quivering, blubbering mess. Un-pleasant, really. But a patient? One of our helpless, hapless, defenseless EMS patients? Well, yeah...Here's the sordid tale- judge me as you would like to be judged.It was a dark and stormy night- well it was dark anyway- when our patient entered into a disagreement with another drunk outside a local club. The two of them stood on the sidewalk doing the Fighting Chicken- you know, that wavy arm thing that drunks do before they fight- when… -
The Giant Paramedic Education Misconception
1 Apr 2012 | 6:43 pmConsidering paramedic school? Already been through paramedic class and wondering what went wrong? Well, don't worry- your old pal Pedro the Paramedic is going to clear up a couple of things- maybe show you where you went off course. (pun intended)First of all let me tell you in no uncertain terms- YOU WILL NOT LEARN HOW TO BE A PARAMEDIC IN PARAMEDIC CLASS. Sorry- paramedic class exists to give you the answers on the Registry exam. Period. You learn on the streets. You learn how to be a paramedic by paying attention to the human condition. Get it straight or get out.Second- there is no magic… -
I Made My Partner Cry
29 Mar 2012 | 10:17 pmOne of the disadvantages of working in a system with high turnover is continually losing good partners. Funny- the good one's leave and it seems like you're stuck with the losers fore-ever. My steady partner Amy got bounced to another station a couple of years ago. We worked so well together- always knew where the other was going.Then I inherited Lil'Jimmy- we got off to a rough start- but Jim really turned out to be a great partner... until he left to deliver porta-potties.Now I've been partnered on 3 of my 5 nights with Arlen. Arlen is one of those people who should not be associated with…
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Advocacy RSS Feed
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When I knew EMS was my calling
15 May 2012 | 2:35 pmLike many in my generation I grew up watching the seminal television show "Emergency!" While my childhood classmates dreamed of being firefighters or police officers, I was fascinated by the work of Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto. At that time EMS was being provided by volunteers, and I assumed that I had no future as a paramedic in my hometown. So I began college as a premed student, assuming I could parlay ... -
Why we celebrate EMS Week
15 May 2012 | 2:33 pmBy Pat Elmes, EMT/P (Ret.) EMS Manager, American College of Emergency Physicians The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) kicks off the 39th annual EMS Week May 20 with this theme: "EMS: More than a job. A calling." EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety, educate the public about their EMS system and to honor the dedication of those ... -
NM regional EMS conference stimulates local economy
25 Apr 2012 | 11:52 amBy Jim Kalvelage Ruidoso News RUIDOSO, NM — The week-long EMS Region III Partners for Life Conference in Ruidoso provides a big boost each spring to the Ruidoso area economy. "Our event went from a seven-day to an eight-day event," said Jan Elliot, executive director of Region III EMS in New Mexico said of the conference. "We actually opened up on Sunday morning." Workshops ... -
Long hours, low pay: So what do we do?
19 Apr 2012 | 1:26 pm"Wanted: EMS providers to work for an ambulance service. Must be able to stay awake for long periods of time yet still function at peak efficiency. Must be able to work for low wages. No experience necessary. Rapid seniority is possible." I'm sure this is not how the service advertises for new staff. But unfortunately, reality usually overshadows good intentions. I suspect the issues that ... -
W.Va. man sentenced for hindering paramedics at daughter's car accident
7 Apr 2012 | 8:00 amBy Kate White The Charleston Gazette WINFIELD, W.Va. — A Hurricane father who hindered paramedics at the scene of his daughter's car accident last year was sentenced in Putnam County Circuit Court on Thursday to one year of unsupervised probation. Rudy Falbo, 41, appeared frustrated before and after sentencing on the misdemeanor charge. He defended himself until the moment Putnam Circuit Judge ...
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EMS Daily News
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Ambulance involved in wreck; no serious injures reported
15 May 2012 | 6:34 amTHOMASVILLE, NC – An ambulance transporting a patient to Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem received significant damage after it collided with an SUV at the intersection of N.C. Highway 109 North and West Lexington Avenue Extension. First responders were dispatched to the wreck at 8:27 a.m. Monday, said Zach Jordan, deputy chief of the Hasty Volunteer Fire Department. Trooper S.E. McHenry said Phillip Leonard, 41, of High Point, was traveling west on West Lexington Avenue Extension crossing N.C. 109 in a Land Rover when he did not see an ambulance with sirens and lights flashing… -
Jefferson County jury clears ambulance driver in fatal wreck
12 May 2012 | 1:03 pmBESSEMER, Alabama — A Jefferson County jury in Bessemer today cleared an ambulance driver of manslaughter in a 2009 wreck on Interstate 20/59 in Bessemer which left a 72-year-old woman dead. Family members of Sherrie Denise Varnon, 40, of Quinton squealed with excitement upon hearing the not guilty verdict returned to Circuit Judge David Hobdy Jr. by the jury of eight women and four men. Varnon was on trial for the Nov. 5, 2009, wreck which killed Norma Alexander near the 18th Street exit in Bessemer. Prosecutors argued Varnon took her eyes off the road for about 10 seconds and fiddled… -
Ambulance, vehicle in crash on Route 422
12 May 2012 | 1:00 pmREADING, PA – Two people were injured in an accident Tuesday afternoon involving an ambulance and another vehicle on the West Shore Bypass in Exeter Township. The accident occurred about 2:40 in the westbound lanes of the bypass, which is Route 422, between the Mount Penn and Interstate 176 exits. A patient was in the ambulance at the time of the accident, emergency dispatchers said. SOURCE The victims were taken to Reading Hospital. Information on their conditions could not be obtained. Fire police from Cumru and Exeter townships closed one of the westbound lanes for about an hour and… -
Ambulance driver on trial for manslaughter
12 May 2012 | 12:48 pmBESSEMER, AL (WBRC) - An ambulance driver is on trial in Bessemer, charged with manslaughter for killing a 72-year-old woman in a 2009 wreck. Sherrie Stone Varnon is accused of causing the wreck that killed Norma Alexander. Today in opening statements, prosecutors said Varnon was reckless while driving an ambulance and scrolling on her phone at the same time. The wreck happened on I-59 Northbound just before the 18th/19th Street exit in Bessemer. Varnon’s attorneys said in court Tuesday it was Norma Alexander’s daughter Lisa who was reckless and that she is the one at fault in the… -
Pedestrian crash involving ambulance ruled suicide
12 May 2012 | 12:45 pmLas Vegas, NV (KTNV) — The pedestrian hit by an ambulance last month committed suicide, according to the Clark County Coroner’s Office. 46-year-old Carlos Hernandez was struck by an ambulance on East Lake Mead Boulevard near Pecos the night of April 22. Police said at the time Hernandez was crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk. He was rushed to University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The MedicWest ambulance driver, a 26-year-old man, was not hurt and consented to a blood draw. A second occupant of the ambulance was also uninjured. Police said drugs and…
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Medic Three
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Life Saving Emergency Medical Taxi
24 Apr 2012 | 2:17 amOur trucks carry 70 ALS skill only drugs and interventions. There are an additional 200 BLS skills and interventions. we use ONE of them. The bed. When I can avoid it, the jump seat gets the abuse. It seems to me that the only thing people seem to care about is that 1) they can stay on the phone 2) that we won’t bother them during the transport for their critical emergency. 3) That the EmergiTaxi will be quick. Less than 10 minutes to get there and 10 minutes to get to the hospital. They’re deathly ill, btw -
Noobs
24 Apr 2012 | 2:11 amRookie Partner and I have a student, and because it is a female student she is “technically” under the control of RP. Not that I have any fears about RP not being able to do this. She’s smart. She’s good. But she’s sooooo impressionable. If I’m grouchy and want to do something wrong soon after, you’ll see RP doing the same thing! Screwing with drunk people! You bet! Asking dumb questions to obvious fakers…. she all over it. I’m corrupted her…. So what will happen with poor, no idea what in the hell-is-going-on-in-this-truck noob girl… -
Damn it, Jim!
11 Apr 2012 | 12:27 amStarting a story with a misquotation is likely a serious faux pas, but alas, I did it. Get over it. We were called to Jim’s house by a 3rd party. Actually a fourth party. Jim had missed a lot of work so his boss called his next of kin–and estranged daughter–she called a neighbor and between the neighbor and his boss, made the decision to call the ambulance. I was greeted on the rickety steps by a confused looking gentleman I learned to be Jim’s boss. As I walk past him he tells me Jim had fallen and was on the ground all night. Jim says he’s not hurt. He says he… -
Where in the World is Medic3?
29 Mar 2012 | 10:51 amWhere did I go!?! I’m not sure. But I’m hoping to be back, more often. Life has caught me off guard over the last year, but I’m doing a better job of managing my time and hope to spend some time posting here. Welcome Back, Welcome Back, welcome baaaaaaaaaack. to me. -
Give away!
29 Dec 2011 | 3:24 amI’ve got a review coming for the statgear stethoscope tape holder. They were generous and send out to extra. If we get to two hundred likes I will finish the review and ship out five of these great gadgets. Get your friends on board!
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Life Under the Lights
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A Quilt Made From Patches – Help a brother out.
29 Apr 2012 | 8:15 amAn old ambulance partner of mine called me up the other day with a favor to ask. He and I haven’t been on a truck together in a few years, but this guy’s one of the best I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. If Bill asks me a favor, it gets done. He’s good people. It seems there’s bad news. Bill’s new partner, Noah Filer, an almost-done paramedic student and firefighter with the Durand Fire Department was involved in a terrible motorcycle accident a while back. Unfortunately the news isn’t good. While Noah’s fighting on, he sustained… -
EMS 12-Leads – The Standard of Care
23 Apr 2012 | 8:23 amI’m going to make a statement: Every ambulance in the United States should have the capability to obtain a 12-lead EKG. Regardless of the service’s level of care, be it Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced Life Support, every ambulance should have the ability to get a 12-lead. There are no exceptions in my opinion. It is the standard of care and every ambulance should be able to do it. In the last few years, the 12-lead EKG has not only revolutionized EMS care, it has influenced the care given throughout the entire healthcare system. Bringing it to the forefront of urgent and… -
An article on EMS that may actually “get” it
20 Apr 2012 | 8:07 amI don’t usually like things in the media portraying what we do in EMS. Usually they’re too full of melodramatics, misinformation, or just plain callous misunderstanding of what we actually do in the field for my taste. Most of them play out like fantasy, showing EMTs and paramedics as the bumbling idiot “ambulance drivers” they think we are on old TV shows like “ER,” or the junkie borderline monsters like in the movie ”Bringing out the Dead,” or even like the camera-friendly vapid idiots on NBC’s (thankfully) ill-fated show… -
Vive la solidarité! Something we have in common with our French friends
18 Apr 2012 | 8:46 amSpoiler alert: There are a LOT of French jokes in this one. A LOT of them. You’ve been warned. This should come as relief to those of you that are tired of measuring your suction catheters in “freedoms” instead of in French. While I was researching the French model of EMS delivery for the post I wrote last week (Hypocritically Speaking – My opinions about EMS models and philosophies) I stumbled across something in the Wikipedia article that made me want to raise a baguette in solidarity to our cheese-eating friends. You might just agree. It is of note that the French… -
Heat Emergencies for EMS – The Summer Time Blues
16 Apr 2012 | 8:48 amIt’s just about here! Summer time is awesome in where I live. It almost makes those long winter months seem worth it. Almost. With the warm weather close upon us it’s time to review some of the common complaints that EMS providers seem to see more of in the summer time. Gone are the days of frostbite and hypothermia and here are the days of heat stroke and bee stings. It pays to brush up on these complaints because we’ll be seeing them before we know it. Heat Emergencies We humans are a fickle bunch. Get us too cold or too hot and we tend to get sick as the…
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Paramedic Blog
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Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
27 Apr 2012 | 3:48 pmThere was a great column on EMS1.com early this year by columnist David Givot. I actually agree with every single thing he said in the article, like I usually do. I did not however, agree with the Title; Why EMS Providers Shouldn’t Fear the Courtroom. My opinion is you should read his 5th tip repeatedly. My second is to Be Afraid; Be Very Afraid about testifying in court. I have had only one court case in my EMS career. It involved the son of a close friend and fellow Paramedic. When we arrived on scene the young child had second and third degree burns covering his face, neck, and upper… -
New VuStik for Video-Laryngoscopy
24 Apr 2012 | 11:38 amThe VuStik is a new, easy-to-use video laryngoscopy device. It uses your existing motor skills rather than requiring you to develop all new ones, makes difficult intubation easier and visually verifies the correct placement of every ET tube. It offers several other important advantages for EMS providers. The VuStik handpiece is a durable and lightweight hand-held unit with a 2.4″ 320 x 240-resolution color monitor. The handpiece houses the screen, LED light, battery, ports and controls. The VuStik stylet attaches to the handpiece, and is malleable to your preferred shape for tube… -
Zoll X wins FDA approval
30 Mar 2012 | 9:27 amZoll Medical recently won 510(k) clearance from the for its ZOLL X monitor/defibrillator, a smaller, more powerful device aimed at the EMS market. “We believe the X Series is a game changer for Zoll in the EMS market. We have the size and weight advantages that Zoll is known for without compromising features or functionality,” president Jonathan Rennert said in prepared remarks. “The X Series has every advanced monitoring and communication capability required by EMS providers and, ultimately, critical care transport operations.” The X Series is described as about half… -
Online EMS Conference
29 Mar 2012 | 12:22 pmThis May 17th, 2012 join your EMS peers as they take part in a one of a kind web event. Hear from expert EMS educators and learn unique insights, tips, tricks, and more. The EMS Web Summit will cover many aspects of EMS for everyone from beginners to ALS providers. Register Now -
Good Medics Don’t Run
28 Mar 2012 | 3:01 pmI saw a visitor to the Paramedic Blog who searched “EMT running” for whatever reason. I was struck that an EMT would or ever should be running, other than for physical exercise. I often see images of healthcare professionals rushing and bustling about in the media. Footage of a Medic running up to aid someone is not hard to find. I think running in EMS is downright dangerous. When pressure mounts and events demand an instant response, I suggest you slow the heck down. If you ever see me run at the scene of an EMS call, it is because someone has a gun drawn. Moving fast makes your heart…
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Medical Author Chat
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Rescuing Providence is Looking for Likes
15 May 2012 | 7:24 amMichael Morse, author of Rescuing Providence and Responding EMS, is looking for likes on the post “For John and Kellie.” Click over to Rescuing Providence, like the post, and read the stories of John and Kellie. -
Links for Books by Paramedics and New Book Review
4 May 2012 | 10:44 amParamedic and author Laura Kendall shared with me recently, “I’m happy to announce that my newest novel previously only available on kindle and nook as an ebook is now a full length paperback! A Simple Case of Revenge ( the sequel to A Simple Case of Suicide) is available from Amazon (affiliate link).” Read a review of Moments in the Death of a Flesh Mechanic … a healer’s rebirth by Russ Reina. Listen to Laura and Russ on the Medical Author Chat podcast. Interview with Laura Kendall Interview with Russ Reina -
Book Review: 2 Weeks a Year
24 Apr 2012 | 8:15 pmI posted a review for 2 Weeks a Year Finding Humor in Iraq at Everyday EMS Tips. I enjoyed this book and have an interview scheduled with the author. -
King Frog: 100 of the Best Group Games Ever Played
20 Apr 2012 | 6:00 amMy friend Mike Kinziger asked for my help spreading word about his book, King Frog: 100 of the Best Group Games Ever Played. This book is perfect for summer camps, physical education teachers, after school programs, recreation agencies, church groups, and scout troops. I sent a copy to my friends at Camp Manito-wish. Learn about the book and purchase at KingFrogBook.com. -
Free Books Today from Self Publishing Expert Jim Kukral
12 Apr 2012 | 7:15 amJim Kukral, internet marketing and self-publishing expert, writes “All of my books are free today only. Grab a copy of each one for your Kindle or Kindle app here.” I have read many of Jim’s books and recommend his work highly for any medical author considering self-publishing. I just added these two books to my Kindle: 1. Write A F*$%ing Book Already - The Insider's Guide To Increasing Your Sales & Improving Your Career With A Book 2. The Ultimate Digital Book Promotion Handbook - The Authors Guide To Finding Places To Promote Your Book Online If you are looking for a…
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Tactical Gear News
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Gould & Goodrich: New Owner, Same Values
8 May 2012 | 1:30 pmThis past February, Robert Gould announced that the new president of Gould & Goodrich would be Scott Nelson, a businessman with a strong firearms background. Although it may have come as a surprise to some in the industry, according to Gould it was a necessary change. “I was a pilot light and we needed a furnace,” Gould said of the recent sale. Before founding the leatherworks company, Gould began working for a subsidiary of Smith & Wesson in 1979. His first role was a product manager, and later he advanced to the position of marketing planning manager. In 1985, Smith… -
Osama Raid: The Boots Worn by SEAL Team 6
1 May 2012 | 4:52 pmAt Outdoor Retailer 2012, we took a look at the boot that was worn by a member of SEAL Team 6 during the raid on Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound. Chris Miller, Vasque sales manager, explained the key features of the Vasque Juxt. It’s no wonder that elite military operators wear this surefooted hiker—its sticky rubber sole provides ample traction on a number of surfaces. The Arc Tempo last creates an athletic fit that accommodates a higher arch while providing extra toe room. Especially helpful over technical terrain, this fit promotes agility and speed. Made of EVA, the… -
Contest: Best Training Tip Wins a Suunto Ambit
26 Apr 2012 | 8:38 amAs the temps start to rise, more people are returning to those outside training sessions. Luckily, there’s a new piece of gear that will turn the volume up on those nature-filled workouts … and it could be all yours. In partnership with Suunto, TacticalGear.com is giving away THE watch of the season—the Ambit. All you have to do is share your advice for training in the outdoors. Arguably the hottest watch on the market, the Suunto Ambit ($550) is the outdoor athlete’s best friend. It’s packed with tons of features that will definitely take any fitness routine to… -
iPad 3 Meets Tactical Pants
12 Mar 2012 | 11:02 amWhen Apple unveiled its next generation of iPad, we looked down at our tactical pants and wondered if that awesomely oversized pocket could hold our beloved mobile computing device. With the dimensions remaining the same, we remembered the Tactical Pants Blog‘s quest for the perfect iPad 2 pocket. In this experiment, they tested the pocket capacity limits of the biggest brands in operator apparel. Luckily, they photo documented the experiment, so you don’t have to take our word for it. Genuine Gear – An affordable fit One of the clear winners, Genuine Gear’s tactical pants… -
Suunto Ambit: A True GPS Watch for Explorers
22 Feb 2012 | 6:01 pmSuunto unveiled its first true GPS watch for explorers. Specifically designed for outdoor functionality, the Ambit made to meet the needs of every extreme hiker, trail blazer or mountain climber. The watch is packed with features, like a a GPS navigation system, altimeter, track logging, barometric sensor and 3D compass equipped with a advanced heart rate monitoring system. Although it is brimming with premium technologies, the Ambit is very user-friendly. “A lot of the software and technology upgrades are performed through Movescount, which is a Suunto-driven social site that we…
