Short stories by featured EMS writer and La Crosse paramedic Crystal Wallin

The husband leads us to the basement, where she’s sitting. Trendy sweatpants and a shell shocked expression are my first impressions. He’s keeping the small ones at bay as they try to see around him, wondering “what’s wrong with Mommy?” Mommy’s stomach hurt and she was closer to the basement restroom when she sat down and she hasn’t gone far. There’s a small throw rug in front of the toilet that matches the shower curtain and the valance at the small half window. A hand towel, in keeping with the scheme, lies folded in half a short distance away. My partner, a male, steps outside at my nod and begins to get demographics. The pt and I regard each other, then the towel.  >> Click to read more...

A one-day (7 hour) course designed specifically for EMTs and Paramedics

>> Click for event information flyer.

Upon completing the workshop, participants will be able to utilize Spanish to:

• Identify self and patient

• Render immediate emergency aid

• Determine patient’s chief complaint

• Issue controlling phrases and commands • Obtain pertinent information
• Explain treatments performed by EMS

• Make assessment of patient through interview • Facilitate transport of injured or ill person

• Engage in triage protocol • And much more!!!

Each participant will receive a 54-page manual with 2 accompanying CDs and a laminated quick-reference card, PLUS a Certi cate of Completion.

Where:  University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, Whitewater, WI

When:  Saturday January 16, 2016 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Cost:  $99.00

Register online:  www.CommandSpanish.com/schedule.html

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Narcan nasal spray, the first FDA-approved nasal spray version of naloxone hydrochloride.

Drug overdose deaths, driven largely by prescription drug overdoses, are now the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. — surpassing motor vehicle crashes.

"Combating the opioid abuse epidemic is a top priority for the FDA," said Stephen Ostroff, M.D., acting commissioner, Food and Drug Administration. "We cannot stand by while Americans are dying. While naloxone will not solve the underlying problems of the opioid epidemic, we are speeding to review new formulations that will ultimately save lives that might otherwise be lost to drug addiction and overdose."

>> Click to read more.

Source:  EMS1

The National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) is currently conducting a survey that will provide a picture of the current state of EMS data, and will be used as a starting point for drafting a national EMS data strategy.

>> Click to take a few minutes to complete the survey.

Governor Scott Walker made it official on November 11, signing into law 2015 Wisconsin Act 113 / Senate Bill 143, which allows a First Responder to operate at their level of license as one member of a two-person legal ambulance crew.

The process began when Assembly Rep. Jeff Mursau from Crivitz, author of the legislation, was contacted by area emergency departments.  Many fire and ambulance departments, especially in the rural areas, see utilization of first responders as the lifeline they need to get the ambulance out the door to a 911 medical call.  However, there is mixed review as others in the profession see this measure as a "band-aid" fix to a larger problem and dwindling volunteers.

As drafted in the Assembly and Senate bill writing process, Act 113 signed by Gov. Walker contains a population component.  Population less than 10,000 can automatically staff a first responder as a legal crew member, and doesn't require a staffing plan waiver. More than 20,000 population can't use first responders as a legal crew staffing option. Population is defined by the single largest municipality in the ambulance service's coverage area.

Population 10,000 or more but not more than 20,000 may apply to the Department of Health for a staffing plan waiver; however, certain conditions must be demonstrated to include all of the following:

• The ambulance service provider has undertaken efforts to recruit and train emergency medical technicians capable of being licensed under this section.
• Despite efforts under subd. 2. a., licensed emergency medical technicians are not available in sufficient numbers for staffing for the ambulance services provider.
• Without a waiver under subd. 1., the municipality that the ambulance service provider serves is unable to meet staffing requirements for ambulances that require 2 emergency medical technicians on every service call.
• The department shall provide a written staffing waiver to any ambulance service provider it approves under subd. 2.
• A waiver under subd. 1. is valid for 48 months after the date of issuance, and an ambulance service provider may apply to renew the waiver.
• An ambulance service provider with a waiver under subd. 1. shall attempt to staff an ambulance with 2 licensed emergency medical technicians whenever possible.

>> Click to listen to an audio interview with Rep. Jeff Mursau regarding First Responder legislation, the population component, and what led to drafting the legislation.

>> Click to listen now.

Topics Discussed:

At 5 minutes First Responder Legislation author Representative Jeff Mursau

At 15 minutes HealthString's innovative approach to patient transport surveys - Buck McAlpin and George Willock

At 30 minutes Savvik Buying Group contract updates with Executive Director Mickey Schulte

At 45 minutes EMS stretcher cot quilt blanket to beat cold, harsh Wisconsin winters - Alpha Medical Equipment's CEO Jeff Grasto

   

The live program was recorded with on-demand playback available at http://tobtr.com/8014879.

Don't miss a beat of Wisconsin EMS action - listen to EMS Live!

The Wisconsin Stars of Life honorees, recently inducted at two ceremonies in Green Bay this past September, found themselves on Tuesday, October 27, standing in the Office of Governor Scott Walker at the State Capitol for a meet and greet opportunity and photo with the Governor.

The daylong event also included a personalized welcome message by Department of Health Services (DHS) Administrator Karen McKeown, meetings with legislators, and topped off later that afternoon with the full Assembly adopting a resolution acknowledging the Stars, to include a standing ovation.  To read the resolution, click here.

The Stars of Life program is to honor and recognize the contribution of those in EMS and the ambulance profession.  Each Star honoree is locally nominated by their respective ambulance service, fire department, first responder group, or other organization.  Each nominee is presented with Wisconsin Stars of Life honors.  Deonne Eske with Ashippun Fire Department will advance from the group to represent Wisconsin at the National Stars of Life in Washington, D.C. in April 2016.

Wisconsin Stars of Life has been produced by the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin since 2006.  The next Stars event and nomination period is sometime in 2017.

>> Click to download the 2015 Wisconsin Stars of Life program booklet, which includes information on each honoree.

>> Click for the Wisconsin Stars of Life 2015 web page.

At a Stars of Life State Capitol event on October 27, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW) recognized Senator Sheila Harsdorf and Representative Paul Tittl for their their support of Wisconsin emergency medical services and the ambulance industry.  Harsdorf and Tittl were both presented with the President's Award by PAAW President Patrick Ryan.  This was the first time the award was presented by the Association.

According to PAAW President Ryan, "Both Senator Harsdorf and Representative Tittl were instrumental in the Association's efforts with the TRIP bill that Governor Walker signed into law this past August, and very supportive of our Stars of Life program". 

TRIP, which stands for Tax Recovery Interception Program, allows all Wisconsin ambulance services to use the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's TRIP recovery process to attempt to collect on ambulance 911 patient transportation bills that go unpaid. 

According to PAAW Executive Director Joe Covelli, "An ambulance service has a duty to act to render care and provide services, often leaving the patient’s ability to pay as a later thought.  It is vitally important that your local community ambulance service remain financially strong and healthy, and the operation sustainable".

Pictured: Senator Sheila Harsdorf, PAAW President Patrick Ryan, and Representative Paul Tittl.