MedicCast News

Ambo MVAs, Fatigue in EMS, and Medal of Valor Winner

Jamie Davis — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:56:22 -0400

This week's look at the midweek EMS news starts off with a look at a slew of ambulance involved MVAs this week. One accident involved a unit that crossed the center line and struck a pickup truck head on.

In a related story, the Victoria Paramedic Union in Australia stated that unless paramedics there were given more rest time between shifts, they were in danger of having accidents on duty due to fatigue.

Finally, a MedicCast kudos to Georgia paramedic Dori Wood on her winning of the Region V medal of valor. Dori descended into a 40 foot well to treat and help extricate a woman who had fallen down into the well.

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Thanks to our sponsor, Lexi-Comp for their support of the MedicCast News. Visit www.lexi.com/mediccast to sign up to win an iPod touch or free Lexi-Comp on-hand software.

Scene Safety Training, Cheating on Tests, and Dispatcher Kudos

Jamie Davis — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:00:00 -0400

This is the MedicCast News a midweek news program with EMS news and commentary from Jamie Davis, the Podmedic the host of the MedicCast Podcast at MedicCast.com.

This week's news items lead off with a look at a New York police department's program to teach scene safety to emergency responders. Next up is a story that has Cleveland Ohio EMS officials investigating possible cheating on a paramedic exam. 27 Paramedics have been brought in to testify in front of the Grand Jury about the cheating. Finally, a big thank-you to our dispatchers. This is Telecommunicators Week is happening and we need to remember our 911 operators and dispatchers.

Thanks to Lexi-Comp for sponsoring the show. Go to www.Lexi.com/mediccast to find out how to win an iPod Touch and free Lexi-Comp Software.

No Paramedics, CPR Online, and Drug Advertising

Jamie Davis — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:42:01 -0400

This week's midweek EMS news for EMTs and Paramedics takes a look at several stories featuring paramedics in the news. First, one paramedic has developed a website that features a way for people to test their CPR skills online and eventually with a lot less time and expense than the 4 hour courses offered now.

Next, a segment about Columbus, Ohio discussion on doing away with ALS ambulance care altogether in an effort to save the city 6.5 million dollars of the city budget.

Finally, a look at the recent FDA warning against 14 drug companies whose internet ads don't contain the necessary risk warnings for consumers.

This episode is sponsored by Lexi-Comp. Check out their excellent mobile drug guides and more at www.lexi.com/mediccast and make sure you register to win an iPod touch while you are there.

Visit the MedicCast EMS podcast site at MedicCast.com.

Dog Attacks, Public Relations, and Eyes Off the Medical Records!

Jamie Davis — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0400

This week's midweek look at the EMS news for EMTs and Paramedics kicks off with a look at a great public relations article in a Delaware newspaper. It educates the public about the scope and mission of the local volunteer fire company and is a great example of the type of news article I think could be used in many communities.

Next up, a follow up to a recent story I covered over at the main MedicCast.com site and podcast last weekend. Right after I talked about dog bites and warm weather, a story about a 4 year old bitten by a pit bull cropped up.

Finally, a look at breach of confidentiality issues as 15 people were fired in California after they looked at the Octuplet mom's patient records when they had no reason to do so.

Thanks to our sponsor:

Try Lexi-Comp for the mobile drug and medical information tools you need. Visit www.lexi.com/mediccast.

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Fat EMS, Attacks on Responders, and Documenting Refusals

Jamie Davis — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:49:01 -0400

This week, a Massachusetts study released findings that 75% of all first responder candidates (EMS and Firefighters) were overweight or obese. Other stories covered in this episode include a look at a tragic story of an attack on a paramedic in Scotland that prevented care getting to an elderly woman in cardiac arrest. We also talk about patient refusals in light of actress Natasha Richardson's death last week following a ski accident and refusal of care or transport while vacationing in Canada.

Thanks to Lexi-Comp for sponsoring the show. Visit www.Lexi.com/mediccast to find out more about their innovative mobile products for first responders at all levels. While you're there, register to win free software or an iPod Touch!

ER Economics, Non-urgent Transport, and New FEMA Man

Jamie Davis — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0400

This week's midweek EMS news for EMTs and paramedics from the MedicCast community features three stories about EMS in the news.

The first story looks at the economics of the recession with regard to ERs and hospital overcrowding. The University of Tennessee Medical Center is predicting more ER overcrowding due to lost benefits and other economic impacts from the recession.

Next, a look at one way to alleviate ER overcrowding with diversionary transport to non-urgent care in clinics and primary care centers. This could be accomplished with a new breed of ambulances built for non-emergency transport rather than 911 services.

Finally, a look at the new man at the helm of FEMA. Former Florida Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate has been named the new FEMA director by President Obama. Hopefully this will turn around the 8 year decline of what was once a shining example of efficiency in large scale emergency response.

Thanks to Lexi-Comp (www.lexi.com/mediccast) for their generous sponsorship of the is program. Try out the brand new Lexi-Tox product built just for use by emergency responders in the field in the face of overdoses and poisonings. Find out more and register to win an iPod Touch at www.lexi.com/mediccast

Visit us at MedicCast.com for updated EMS study aids and tips.

High School EMS, Presidential Briefing, and Maryland Medevac

Jamie Davis — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:53:32 -0400

This week's MedicCast News features a look at several mid-week news items. First off, a look at another high school EMS, Fire, and Rescue training program in Virginia. Next, a great article about an Firefighter/EMT who got to participate in a briefing with the president and his advisors on what is broken in U.S. healthcare. Finally, a look at a report from the Maryland House of Delegates that seems to save the state medevac system intact and safe from for profit hospital programs looking for a piece of the action.

Find more great stories like this one and the longer, EMS tip-filled MedicCast at MedicCast.com.

Thanks to Lexi-Comp for their generous sponsorship. Visit www.Lexi.com/mediccast to learn about their pocket software and register to win an iPod Touch and other great prizes.

Driving, Breast Feeding, and Talking on the Phone in the News

Jamie Davis — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:00:00 -0500

This week's midweek look at EMS news for Paramedics, EMTs and other medical providers in the emergency services starts off with a crazy driving story with some audio of the police radio report on a woman breast feeding while driving. Other news includes a look at a neat promotion and service to the EMS and hospital employees from a Tax Prep company, plus a paramedic who loses his thumb to an attacker as thanks for intervening in a domestic dispute.

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Thank you to www.lexi.com/mediccast for sponsoring the show this week. Visit the link above for an opportunity to win a free ipod touch or Lexi-Comp software.

Non-transport charges, Big Easy Hospitals, and EMS/Fire Squabbles

Jamie Davis — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:05:34 -0500

The MedicCast News midweek news outlook for EMS responders looks at a story about non-transport services billing complaints for ambulance response, continuing problems for New Orleans hospitals following the Katrina disaster - years later, and a view from above on Tennessee EMS and Fire squabbles in one county there.

Thank you to www.lexi.com/mediccast for sponsoring the show this week. Visit the link above for an opportunity to win a free ipod touch or Lexi-Comp software.

Twisters, Responsiveness to the Public, and Stroke Care Kudos

Jamie Davis — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:13:42 -0500

As the responders to the tornadoes in Oklahoma take care of the injured and misplaced there, it is important to take a moment and make sure that our own homes are prepared for disasters.

We also, look at improvements in ambulance response times for one suburban community in Tennessee served by Rural/Metro ambulance under contract. We have to be responsive to the needs of our communities if we want to improve our chances of increased pay and opportunities in EMS. This is true whether we are paid, volunteer, or government employed.

Finally, a big thumbs up to South East Ambulance Service in the U.K. for their recognition recently for their improved stroke care initiatives.

Thanks for Lexi-Comp for their generous support of this show. Visit www.Lexi.com/mediccast for a chance to win an iPod Touch and free Lexi Solutions software.