WAS967

I would contact the Region by phone and discuss your CME needs with them directly. The problem I have seen in the past is that some regions get picky about what CMEs you do online and who they are approved by. HVREMSCO seems to prefer CEBEMS approved Online CMEs. As for CMEs taking place at various locations, you often have to make sure that the CMEs are preapproved by the region so that you know your time spent will count. I don't know too many instances where they AREN'T eventually approved, but there have been some. The person that I spoke to over there recently was very helpful with information. Give them a call. 845-534-2430. They can probably direct you to local CMEs. They can't recommend specific online CME sites for obvious reasons. Check out http://www.cmelist.com/emergency.htm for a short list (although admittedly MD oriented) or google "online CME". I'm currently looking at centrelearn.com to fulfill my Trauma CME needs. I'll let you know what I find (if I remember to post it).

I have yet to work for an EMS entity that had/has any clearly defined policy regarding the use of restraints (that I am aware of). I have also yet to receive any formal training as an EMS provider in the use of restraints to control a patient. Any techniques that I use as an EMS provider in restraining a patient I learned from experience both in and out of hospital. I've been an EMS provider since 1991. Comments?

TC Westchester also provides the medics for Mount Pleasant (of which Sleepy Hollow is a part and thus is provided with ALS coverage since they "bought into" the system back in 2000ish). During the day I believe they provide 2 medic flycars for the Town and a BLS bus for the medical center (which also covers some outside facilities like WestHelp), and then the ambulance becomes ALS at night and the second flycar goes out of service.

LOVE the acronym for the study. RAMPART.

No longer true. And I believe the grace period was 1.5 years, but not entirely sure. Now, regardless of how long you have been expired, you have the ability to take a refresher course to get your certification back. If you have been expired a long time, then it might be a good idea to take the original class, but it is no longer a requirement. And yes, I believe the CME Recert is only for current and practicing EMTs.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01112009/news/..._out_149604.htm

Don't be so sure. If he was smart (which this report casts doubts upon) he likely incorporated as an LLC or similar setup. Limited Liability Corporations are setup SPECIFICALLY to shield the personal assets of the owner from bankruptcy and the like. Of course the court MIGHT be able to intervene but in all likelihood he might get off scott free and not have to pay a dime if he did the paperwork right.

Or worse, you see these legislators asking for pay raises.

MY question wasn't meant to specifically address the storage of narcotics but our medications in general. The agencies at which I am presently employed have the narcs on their hips and the substock in temperature controlled areas so thats a nonissue. My main thought was towards the meds in the drug bag/box/whatever you keep em in that is typically stored in the truck. Some units can sit idle for extended periods on a hot day where the temperature inside a vehicle (according to anti-keeping-your-pets-in-a-parked-car people) can easily exceed 100F in the sun. This is made of Win.

As a point of discussion (and my main reason for posting this article): What does your agency do (if anything) to ensure that the medications in your drug box are kept at the proper temperatures? Most agencies I have worked for keep a heater in the truck near the gear to keep the stuff warm in the winter, but there is no thermometer that is monitored to make sure the temperature limits of the drugs are not exceeded. This can be especially important in the summer when a flycar can remain parked for extended periods and the gear could be baking in +100F temperatures.

I have pictures of the WAS ambulances, but would need to scan them in. I think I have pictures of both the old (White with Yellow/Orange/Brown striping) and the newer versions (White with Magenta striping). I'll try to remember to do it but don't hold your breath waiting. A PM reminder in a day or two might be useful if you don't see anything by then.

LOL. Look at what I started. What do you make of this? I can make a hat, a broach, a pterodactyl.........

Awww. The derailed thread made SO much more sense on it's own, not merged. Boooo.

I'd imagine they attempt using neighboring towers but in some instances the coverage of course isn't all there. I know Somers FD Dispatch (WEMS Cencom) has the ability to dispatch several neighboring departments and has been called on to do so in the past.

That's impossible! They're on instruments! http://airplaneinstruments.ytmnd.com/

There is a sale on Boxers at JCPenny's.

The Mountain Lakes Tower for 46.26 is down. All affected departments and the two Battalion Chiefs were notified and backup dispatching is in effect.

Heck yes on the wide range of uses for the CO-oxymeter. I too would love to have them as another tool in the box. Two BLS agencies in my primary response area (Somers Fire and Lewisboro VAC specifically) have them on the ambulances. You want to see some interesting stuff tho. Check out what Masimo is cooking up in the non-invasive kitchen. Can you say "noninvasive hemoglobin measurement"? http://www.masimo.com/index.htm I wonder what laser waveform technology will bring us next. Hellooooo 2009.

As with my example with the guy with the trailing electrical cord, if there is a safety issue then I think we not only have a moral obligation to react, but a duty to act as emergency professionals who are trained to recognize problems and react to them. Signaling the guy with lights and sirens was, IMHO, totally appropriate.

I've heard a lot of mumbling from some people that NTG Spray shouldn't be used because it's meant to be single patient use only. Ie.....there is a small risk of "off spray" and contamination from using it with multiple subjects. This comes from a Pharamcist BTW. Our QA/QI director is rather keen on eliminating them from our gear but they somehow keep magically coming back. Thoughts?

I would imagine that the LP12s with the Massimo (vs the Nellcor) connectors can be retrofitted with the CO-oxymetry modules. It would be nice to have that feature available on more fire scenes.

Local Medic arrested for Stalking http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/ci_1123493...rce=most_viewed

The 20 is not rated for field use, it is meant for in hospital use only. The 15 appears to have basically all the same functionality as the 12 just more durable (waterproof. monkeyproof, etc) with a screen that is more viewable in bright light (which I believe you can have your 12s retrofitted with). For agencies who already have the LP12, making the leap to the 15 might be more cost than it's worth TBH. For those agencies still using LP11s or 10s with standalone capnography units, it could be a good way to integrate all functions into one unit with the added benefit of the NIBP. The tradein value of the LP11 (and maybe the 10) would help offset the cost slightly, but not by a huge amount. What is FDNY using now for their Capnography? Or do they just use the colormetric end tidal pieces?

Empire (now HVP) used to have Pawling but they gave it up. EMS in Dutchess is more confused than a 98 year old dementia patient with a side of Alzheimer's.

Neither f my jobs have a standard practice of noting patient contact time, but as mentioned previously, if we have an extended time from "on scene" (quite the misnomer) and "patient contact" then I will let dispatch (60 Control in both cases) know that and note the delay on the PCR with a reason. Some reasons I can think of why we might be delayed to the patient: -Correctional facilities - getting through the security gates and checkpoints. -Wilderness rescues - time actually getting TO the patient can be extensive. -Apartment buildings - elevator might be out or not have one in the first place. -Forced entries - need to call in resources to get to a patient who is disabled or barricaded. -Scene safety - might be unsafe for the crew to access the patient - Hazmat, leaky fuel tanks, etc