Vital Signs 2007 - Thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy recent schedule to attend the 2007 Vital Signs conference this past weekend.  As usual, as variety of speakers, subjects and information was available to help in Emergency Services.

 

For those who like to plan ahead, while there are many other very notable conferences, our our local STEP Conference will be held from April 10 thru 12, 2! 008.&nbsp s yearly activity, with your many local and other EMS people that join us from other regions.

 

Haunted Hayride -  Hopefully all those who joined us last night, were able to sleep after there wagon ride thru the ghoulish Apple Orchards of Williamson.  While we were  light in numbers, we made up for it in the screams and fun that everyone had that was able to join us.  Please plan to join us next year at this Halloween Family event.

 

Communications is Key to a Successful Scene - Please always remember that EMS, Fire and Police are on the same team and our mutual goal is the success of any incident that we are called mutually to work at.  Remember that if you have not communicated, asking or telling  the other Command Officers from the agencies working with you, they likely may not be aware of your request, duplicate resources or no! t anticip ist you with resources on scene or enroute.  Please remember to Communicate.

 

ORSA/MRSA-SuperBug - These opportunistic bacteria have been common for over ten (10) years, often being carried by people who never suffer any ill effects.  Often it is these healthy carriers that can be the route of exposure to people who could become infected due to contact with patients open wounds or those that are immune suppressed.  ORSA and MRSA are bacterias, which when caught early enough will respond favorably to specific antibiotics developed to help treat these infections, but often have evolved to not be treatable with commonly prescribed medications.

 

Our greatest opportunity to keep both ourselves and our patients comes down to the basics which we should do regularly to prevent all types of exposures.

 

1. Always wash hand with Soap/Water solution or Alcohol Based hand! sanitize ve for ALL Responders who have been in contact with the patient or patient areas.  This includes Drivers. Firefighters and Police Officers.

 

2. Cover all skin breaks, such as cuts, scrapes or other open skin wounds

 

3. Wipe down all Gurneys after patient use, paying close attention to railings

 

4. Establish a regular schedule of Extensive cleaning of Rigs, including Gurneys, All Patient Care equipment, crew areas and drivers compartment.  This schedule is best established by agencies, based on call volumes and rig use.

 

The recent diagnosis of a local youth, with one of these infections, who fortunately is reported to be recovering well under Doctors supervision,  prompted the Extensive cleansing of the Child's Elementary School, many of the Districts Buses and other area where this infection could have been contacted.  There also has been rece! nt studie er 1/2 the Ambulances which were cultured for these bacterias, showed signs of it in all areas of the Ambulance, from the steering wheel, to patient care area/equipment and crew work areas

 

Doctor Jeff Runge - Medical Director for Homeland Security - Our area is privileged to have Doctor Runge speaking on Thursday, October 25, 2007 from 1945 to 2100 hours on Managing Disasters - Integrated Preparedness and Response.  This very informative presentation will be held at the Strong Memorial Whipple Auditorium - Room 2-6424 - All are encouraged to attend

 

 

Calendar:

October 23 - NIMS 300 class starts

October 24 - EMS Administrators Meeting - BRIE

October 30 - Spotlight articles due

Bill Evans
Third Battalion Deputy EMS Coordinator