EMS Office Hours

In EMS, tranportation of our patients can mean many or few options. Patient condition, requests and appropriateness all play a part in deciding how, when and why we transport them. What about special considerations and a patients needs and comfort? Sometimes we are driven by written guidelines and others what is right for the patient. Join us for this episode and give your take on transporation decisions.

With August 1st around the corner, it brings a bunch of new protocol updates within the NYC Paramedic REMAC treatment guidelines. While not an official update, this special episode of Office Hours will talk about key changes for 2011. Join in for an informative podcast any NYC paramedic can benefit from.

Ever notice how some EMS providers do everything to it's maximum while others go at a slower, smaller pace? Which is right and which is wrong. Is there a right and wrong? Join us for this weeks episode and discuss, drug dosages, IV sizes and more.  

Do you have an IPhone, Droid, Blackberry or even an IPad? Are you taking advantage of all the apps out there that can help you in your day to day EMS activities? Join us for some apps we've found and call in or chat with your mobile app recommendations.

A New Jersey Bill is suggesting licensure for EMT's and paramedics, creating standards of care that are enforced and having an EMS oversight entity at the state level. These are the key components of the Bill and many feel they are overdue. Is this just an attempt to remove volunteers from the system? Or can this be a system model that will help move EMS to the next level of professionalism nationwide? Join us for this episode, I have a feeling  this will be a fast moving one.   Article on the bill at EMS1.com http://www.ems1.com/legislation-funding/articles/1064790-NJ-EMS-groups-push-bill-to-regulate-EMTs-paramedics/  

Summer is here and many providers, myself included are trying to get into shape, eat better and stay physically and mentally fit for the unique challenges of EMS. This week we welcome a special guest Lucie A. Knapp, MSW, LCSW to Office Hours. Lucie will share with us some key points to jump start fitness goals and how to stay on track during those busy EMS days.

Are we using spinal immobilization based on evidence, opinion or protection against litigation? Can performing spinal immobilization cause more harm than good? Some say yes. What are some of the dangers and benefits (medically) if any in using spinal immobilization? While this topic may have been covered before, I think it's worth keeping in the front of discussions. Come join us and give your ideas and opinion on this hot EMS topic.

When responding to that 911 call, do you have a pre conceived notion of what the call will be? Do you start to judge and consider certain call types as "BS"? Should we do this and how can we avoid getting that tunnel vision and end up overlooking key clinical presentations? Join us and share your story or insight into this topic.

A common point that gets brought up on Office Hours is how we "own" much of what we do. Often, our communication with each other and fellow health professionals can cause issues in patient care, daily operations and even in a career. The first part in this series will discuss how paramedics communicate with each other. Come join in this episode for ideas on better communication, approaches to issues that arise on the job and how we can take some first steps to improve common communication issues for better patient care and beyond. 

This week takes on a lighter note at Office Hours as Jim and Josh talk about EMS Week contests, giveaways, events and recognition of the EMS Everyday Hero. Call in or chat live with your event, how your agency is celebrating EMS Week and how it's recognizing it's members.

One role of the EMS provider is caring for emotionally disturbed patients. Most of these calls go without incident, with little more than some creative writing. But what about when that calm EDP decides he or she wants to rough house? What do you do? Following written guidelines can be tricky in these situations. Join Jim and guests to discuss proper vs. impulse actions in these cases.

With the recent death of Osama Bin Laden, we can finally relax right? Not so fast, safety is still a long way off. It is still vitally important that we keep our vigilance and maintain our own personal safety as EMS providers. That can be easier said than done. How do you approach potentially high profile assignments? Are you on the alert for secondary devices, potential traps and hazards that may not appear to be "out of place"? Join Jim during this Office Hours and talk a little about preparation, following rules and truly keeping safety in the balance.

Have you ever felt like there may be things you can do to better EMS for yourself? Maybe even make an impact to the industry, however small?  During this episode Jim plans on pointing out key things you can do to be a better EMS provider and advocate for the profession vs. what many providers actually do. There seems to be two separate plans. Which one are you following?

Looking for recognition through self promotion, sharing and community education. EMS Week vs. Everyone Else Week. You don't want to miss this episode. Join in live toll free or chat.