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

Unresponsive, at shortly after 6am, is a thing. It’s the time of day lots of folks wake up and find the spouse isn’t breathing, or moving, or generally not like usual. Unresponsive, at shortly after 6am, is a special kind of horrible thing for a medic who is deep into sleep. Waking thickly in a panic as the tones sound overhead, stumbling feet into boots while pulling sweater overhead, fumbling for glasses, tucking in shirt while hurrying to the garage. Unplugging the shore line, zipping boots, hitting garage door opener, blinking at early morning while shoving the seatbelt home to a crisp click. Blinking and reaching for the mike, putting the truck in drive and activating siren and lights while listening to the repeated dispatch info. Glancing at the Navigator screen on the tablet for the address, merging into early morning caffeinated and showered drivers while still valiantly mentally joining the rest of the world.  >> Click to read more...

By Joe Covelli, PAAW Executive Director

Producing audio webcasts has proven to be a very successful way for PAAW to deliver news, information and content to those involved in emergency medical services in Wisconsin.  We know this is true because of the numbers we see downloading the content or listening live, plus the many positive comments we receive on a regular basis.  Having your support and listenership is very important to us, it tells us we are doing the right thing and covering the right topics.

I really have been amazed by the response to what we've produced in 2015.  An example of this is the live webcast we did on May 4 with Dr. Eugene Nagel, Randolph Mantooth, and Nancy McFarland.   That one show to-date has been downloaded over 2,800 times.  Wow!  If you have an appreciation for EMS history and the 1970's TV show, EMERGENCY!, then you will definitely enjoy this interview.

Since 2010, we've produced EMS to the Point.  It's a recorded webcast format with one interviewer and a guest.  This past year we added six new interviews to the webcast library.  

In March 2015, we began hosting a live webcast, called Wisconsin EMS Live, that offers interaction between co-hosts, guests and callers.  The webcast name was changed in November to EMS Live in Wisconsin.  Since the beginning, I've been joined on the program by co-hosts Chris Anderson, Patrick Ryan and Dan Williams.  Throughout 2015, we did the webcast live the second Tuesday every month.  Because of interest, and to cover more topics more frequently, we made the decision to host the live webcast twice per month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays, beginning in January.  Our first webcast using the new format is January 12 starting at 9:00 a.m.  We'll be discussing ambulance compliance plans with attorney Wendy Arends.

In 2012 and 2011, I did a couple of interviews - one on EMS Pay, Wages and Volunteers with the Wisconsin Dept. of  Workforce Development, and the other about Wisconsin's new conceal carry gun law and EMS.  I was amazed to see these two webcasts had a number of downloads in 2015, so I included them in the list of highlights too.

As always, please write or call the Association with topics you suggest we include in our 2016 plans.  Thank you for your loyal listenership.

2015 Most Listened to Webcasts

EMS Live in Wisconsin Webcast Top Downloads:

>> Randolph Mantooth and Dr. Eugene Nagel discuss the rise of paramedics

>> Community Paramedicine and Physicians Advisory Committee

>> EMS Controlled Narcotics: Chain of Custody, Diversion, Best Practices

>> CPAP device, CHF patients and high dose nitro outcomes, and PSOW wrap-up

>>  Community Paramedicine Trials in Milwaukee Co., Working Together Conf.

EMS to The Point Webcast Top Downloads:

>> Raising the Bar: A Medical Director's Quality Improvement Initiatives.  Guest:  Dr. Steve Stroman, Medical Director at Eagle III, Oshkosh Fire, DePere Fire and Rescue, and Oconto Falls Area Ambulance

>> Same Tool, Enhanced Use:  Nasal Cannula Apneic Oxygenation.  Guest:  Dr. Mark Westfall, Medical Director for Gold Cross Ambulance - Fox Valley and the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin

>> Finally!  EMS data performance measures.  Guest:  Nick Nudell, EMS Compass Initiative Project Manager, National Association of State EMS Officials

>> Time to Pay Attention to EMT Wage and Labor Laws.  Guest:  Jim Chiolino, Director, Labor Standards Bureau, WI Dept. of Workforce Development (2012)

>> Wisconsin's New Conceal Carry Weapons Law and EMS.  Guest:  Sgt. Kevin Bygd, Dunn County Sheriff's Office (2011)

An east metro lawmaker wants to increase the penalties for anyone who interferes with first responders rendering medical aid.

Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, said Tuesday the Public Safety Personnel Protection Act will be the first bill he submits for the legislative session that begins March 8. His proposal would make it a felony to interfere with emergency personnel even if that interference doesn't reach the level of an assault.  >> Click to read more...

Uber-delivered flu shots are just the beginning.

Someday, an Uber — not an ambulance — could appear at your door and whisk you to the hospital. Or to a doctor’s appointment. Or it could bring the doctor to wherever you are, whenever you want.

Uber doesn’t have immediate plans to do any of this, but it appears to be laying the groundwork to serve up health care at the tap of a button, just as it has rides and, more recently, food, drugstore necessities, and even kittens.

For four hours on a recent Thursday, Uber customers could summon nurses to administer flu shots for $10; the company hoped to vaccinate as many as 10,000 people across 36 U.S. cities.  >> Click to read more...

>> Click to play this webcast.

New CPR research suggests something that goes against common sense.  What is it?  Well, let's start out by asking a question.  In what position would offer the patient the best cardiac circulation and flow to the brain when performing CPR?  a) supine, b) shoulders raised 30 degrees, c) shoulders raised 90 degrees, d) both legs elevated 30 degrees?  To get the answer you'll need to listen to the webcast.  I must admit, this was one of the more fascinating interviews I've ever done.  It's worth a few minutes of your time.

This new CPR revelation was brought to my attention by Dr. Joseph Holley, an expert in CPR resuscitation known worldwide.  He is also the EMS Medical Director for the State of Tennessee and EMS Medical Director at Memphis Fire Dept. 

If you are like me, and thought the mechanics, adjuncts, and delivery to CPR couldn’t be improved much more after all the other improvements we have seen over the years, well, think again.

>> Click to play this webcast.

>> Listen at http://tobtr.com/8064951

On Tuesday, December 8, PAAW completed a one hour EMS Live in Wisconsin webcast, which was dedicated to discussing community paramedicine in Milwaukee Co.  Several fire departments, along with Aurora Health System and other public health agencies, have teamed up to work in this new and emerging area of healthcare delivery for Wisconsin.

If you're wanting to learn more about community paramedicine/MIH or starting to implement these concepts, listening to this group discussion is a good use of your time.

We discussed with several fire departments and Aurora Healthcare how they have approached Community Paramedicine with their 2015 trial programs, what they have realized so far, and what's next.


Fred Hornby also discussed the upcoming Working Together Conference taking place January 26 to 31in Milwaukee.   They are also offering a Community Paramedicine/MIH Symposium on one of the days.

>> Listen at http://tobtr.com/8064951

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