Skooter92

Thank goodness Empress had the assets to step in. This is a prime reason why municipalities need to rethink farming out EMS to save a few bucks. You trade stability and possibly longevity just to slash budget lines.

Seth-both Greenwich and Stamford EMS use MDTs. Definitely a plus in my book.

Congratulations to the folks at Empress, and to the Local. I remember working Medic 1 when Empress had the contract out of one of the ancient and decaying halls on the oval-at night, we'd explore the steam tunnels running across campus. Was a hoot of a contract. Good luck!

1) At a PIAA, the highest ranking fire officer is the IC. Problem solved. If the call does not have the presence of a fire officer due to no fire presence, then the Westchester REMSCO protocols clearly define who is in charge. 2) I'm not a big proponent of EMS POV responses, and it seems to me if you're taking the time and money to pay for EMS coverage to ensure two out on a rig, you shouldn't allow POV responses. Period. No reason to do so, and if you need more hands, then you request another rig or another agency such as FD. The days of the green light brigade are over. FF's responding from home to flesh out a response are a different story: different paradigm. You can handle a medical response with two staff members. A structure fire requires greater response, with more personnel/apparatus/positions to fill and relief to arrange for responders. I've never had to staff a rehab sector and put a FAST team on standby for an abdominal pain call. Why do I need twenty people showing up at that scene, then?

"The only concern I would have about a volunteer agency using the ePCR is the significant learning curve. If you only do a couple of calls a month, the ePCR would be extremely cumbersome to those members who are not computer savvy." But if you only do a couple of calls a month, think of all the time you have to complete the ePCRs between calls.

Stamford EMS has been carrying one CO device per unit for about six months. We have a RAD unit from Massimo on the tour supervisor's truck, and we're switching to LP-15s with CO monitoring capability. That being said, OVAC has always been among the first to field new diagnostic tools including glucometers and pulse oximetry. Many agencies are still in the process of adopting CO monitors-but remember, change occurs at different rates in different organizations. Criticizing an agency without knowing the internal structure(s) that govern change is a pointless exercise.

I see no reason to transport a code RLS under just about any circumstances, especially a medical code that hasn't responded to ACLS within a given timeframe. Persistent asystole shouldn't be transported without extenuating circumstances anyways. And having someone risking injury in the back of a moving rig while doing manual CPR (usually unbelted due to the fact that most so-called CPR seats are useless for that very purpose) is criminal. Spend the money/get a grant for a LUCAS or Autopulse. $10k vs provider injury. The two systems I work in have devices in each rig. Back to the point of the thread, RLS to the ED if you have interventions in place and timewise earlier arrival won't make a difference IMHO constitutes negligent and potentially criminal conduct if something happens. Period.

Muns- 1) Does it happen on conventional or trunked channels? 2) If conventional, is a PL/DPL programmed in? 3) If trunked, is it for the WCDES trunked system? 4) Do you program it with a PC? If so, can you send me a note with what program you use and a copy of the programming OR an .xls export of the programming so I can look at it and see if it's a codeplug issue? Let's start there, papi, k?

Are the tones actually QC II format? Check if the duration of each tone is within the QC II format, otherwise you may have to play around in the QC menu a bit.

At three AM, when you're on your sixth run of the night, you and your partner are the only humans out on the boulevard, and you're going on the intox down.....loud, disruptive and socially unacceptable music is not only appropriate, but better than caffeine or meth to keep on keeping on. I tend not to have a stick up my tush about those kind of things at that hour of the morning.

Anybody know of any departments who have created monitoring links to any of the Westchester trunked Fire/EMS talkgroups?

Rather than let her harm him or herself, the officer Tased her. In the old days, I guess he would have either put her in a hold, given her a whack with a baton, or sprayed her. I think the Taser is more humane and less harmful than all of the above, having cared for multiple Taser patients who have never suffered more than tiny holes in their skin. Most don't even get a Bandaid after their mandatory ALS workup and eval at the local ED.

My experience in CT with etomidate is that frequently you don't need the paralytic to complete the intubation. The etomidate usually relaxes the patient enough to gain atraumatic access and visualization. Great stuff.

Pete KC2DYZ. 73's, y'all.

P.S. We're using Panasonic Toughbook CF-29s. They're OK, but a little clunky.

At Stamford EMS (SEMS), we have been up and running with EMSCharts for some time now, after using another electronic charting system prior to switching. EMSCharts has two components, a mobile version that you can complete the chart in and capture signatures before uploading to EMSCharts's servers, or you can collect a basic data set and signatures and then upload to EMSCharts's site and then finish in their Web-based software. You can easily connect to printers in most hospitals to print out a copy of your record, or the ability to create a PDF or other image file of the chart exists that can be then given or transmitted to the receiving institution. It has a very customizable format and has some great features for QA/QI report generating. It will generate reports specific to any state's data set reporting requirements (believe me, I checked on this!!) and also output elements for NEMSIS reporting. Best off, the cost is minimal to use and the only things you need to have are the platforms to generate reports and capture signatures (if you require them), and the ability to get that data to EMSCharts. All in all, the experience is pretty painless and report writing is quick depending on how your system administrator configures your version. If anyone is interested in seeing how SEMS is using EMSCharts, from soup to nuts, let me know and I can arrage something with one of our chiefs.

I believe so...there's a protective housing in place. The screen itself is nice, but IMHO multi-color does nothing for patient care-unless you can play Pong on the darn thing in between calls. Found another photo: LP_15 Pic

The 15 will also have the ability to detect and quantify the presence of carbon monoxide as well as doing capnography, NIBP and pulse oximetry-at an additional cost; this feature will add quite a bit to the price tag. It also has a CPR metronome. That is the big difference between the actual monitoring capabilities of the 12 versus the 15. I got to see one and talk to Mike Hooper over in Greenwich-it's a dandy new unit, and is a little more durable (lessons learned!) than the 12.

The air horns aren't there for traffic warning....they were installed to keep the medic awake enroute to calls.

Welcome back Chief!!! The camels may be sad to see ya go, but we're happy to have you back. Happy birthday...look forward to seeing you around, k.

How about a case of Attends and a prescription for Aricept to go with the walker? Happy birthday, Chris!!

The original Hudson Valley Ambulance was purchased by CMTI (not CMT), and went out of business still owned by CMTI, who had also acquired A-1 Ambulance as well. No relationship to Cooperstown Medical Transport, k?

That's a LP-12 bracket.

First off, I agree that we need to increase the abilities of BLS providers in this area before handing out any more skills or toys. The anecdote concerning the basic who put a pulse ox on someone instead of actually assessing them rings a bell, and as a matter of fact I am also opposed to BLS units carrying pulse oximeters, glucometers, or AEDs with waveform displays. Too much info without enough decision-making training. Firefighters/cops typically ride as probies for quite some time before being let loose, and during that ride time they are with FTOs. Some area agencies say they have FTOs, but when you need the meat on the street, services push people out the door. Scary scary. As to the myth that albuterol is BAD in CHF, 1) It ain't true; 2) it REALLY ain't true, and 3) read this link: Putting The Myth To Bed. It will shed a little light on an ems legend I've been debunking for years.. And if you don't like the scientific research, and prefer anecdotal evidence, I have yet to put a CHF'er in flash or any other kind of pulmonary edema by co-administering albuterol with nitrates, lasix, morphine or even oxygen. In 17 years or so, that ain't bad.

Probably because NYSP didn't want to talk to you anymore.......