Monday, October 19, 2015

Fire Service EMS training and evaluation

PROPOSAL
EMS Deployment and Training
By Alan Perry
October 19, 2015


Introduction:
The Fire Service can improve on its deployment of new EMS technology and skills, by improving the training and evaluation mechanisms available to its providers. To accomplish this, the following practices may be considered to produce a reliable and consistent system for delivering new information, ongoing training, and evaluation of knowledge and skills competency. This can be done in a way that does not commit new resources. It will improve the performance and consistency of EMS services and satisfy the continuing education requirements of the providers. It consist of a single change in the character of the position of the EMS supervisors on each shift and a three part mechanism for delivery, training and evaluation.

The system change:               EMS Supervisor role
Changing, or placing more emphasis on the role of the EMS supervisor as an educator, is a simple and effective way to improve the system as a whole. Directing the EMS supervisor to periodically conduct Company training using standardized lesson plans, cognitive exams, skills evaluation and a course/instructor evaluation will bring Fire Service practices in-line with accepted standards in EMS education and evaluation. This is a proven system that will provide the mechanism for delivery of the category 1 and 2 CEU’s required for providers to re-certify. Ideally, Companies would attend a 1-2 hour training once a cycle while out-of-service, in a comfortable location away from the station, but within their own district, such as a library or community center. Senior EMS providers can and should assist with the delivery of these programs.

The three-part mechanism: Initial training
Initial training programs for new skills, new devices and/or changes to existing practice should always precede the deployment of these skills and devices in the field. Providing the initial training to the supervisors and providing them with the proper training materials will allow them to quickly and effectively deliver the necessary training, evaluate and document delivery, and assess skill competency before deployment occurs.

                                               PI driven training
PI driven training can be delivered as an individual, Company, District, Shift or System tool to remedy specific PI driven concerns. It can cover one topic or multiple topics dependent on audience and needs. PI driven training should be dynamic and focus on the most critical, severe or most costly identified deficiencies first.

                                               Annual/semi-annual protocol and skills evaluation
Protocol and skills evaluations are nothing new to EMS, all providers took exams and performed practical skills as part of their initial certification. At least once a year providers should be required to pass a basic protocol test appropriate to their level of certification, as well as a random skills evaluation based on The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Practical skill sheets. This is both a preventive and maintenance measure, which will assure that providers remain current in their knowledge and skills. Providers who do not perform well can immediately be retrained and re-evaluated, or the collective results used to conduct PI driven training in the future. Any critical skill deficiency must be corrected before the provider is allowed to continue practicing at his, or her level of certification.

Summary
Formal deployment, training and evaluation programs are part of most other high risk professions. Other agencies and regional systems within the Commonwealth and across the Country already use a formal training and evaluation system. The Central Shenadoah EMS Council requires quarterly skills reviews for all providers in their system. The Lord Fairfax EMS Council requires an annual skills review. Considering the Fire Service's initiative in bringing forward thinking practices to the region, codifying a proactive and aggressive training policy seems like a logical and obtainable goal. This goal can be achieved with a minimal investment of on-duty time and effort from the existing EMS supervisors. It will add to both the competence and confidence of our providers, as they deliver the best responsive and caring service possible, to our citizens and guests. It may be advisable to add an additional EMS supervisors position to allow supervisors to rotate training, while leaving at least two in service while spreading the administrative functions out, allowing for adequate preparation and follow-up in training. Ultimately the implementation of this plan will require a commitment from the Organization, the Administrative Staff, the Training Division, EMS Supervisors and the individual providers. Developing a culture of proficiency, competency and innovation starts at the top.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Non-Invasive Monitoring Pearls

Non-Invasive Patient Monitoring
Purpose:        
Non-invasive patient monitoring includes ECG’s, blood pressure, pulse-oximetry, capnography and blood CO levels. It is an essential tool for the initial assessment of patients and for ongoing evaluation and treatment. It is desirable that there be a consistent and reliable method of applying these tools to the patient in the pre-hospital environment as well as a common understanding of the limitations of these devices. This guidance seeks to provide a reference for all providers to assist in the consistent application of these tools and a resource for trouble shooting common problems.

Policy:            
The following procedures will be used when applying non-invasive monitoring tools to patients.

Procedure:

General:
·         All equipment will be in an organized condition suitable for immediate deployment.
·         All exterior surfaces and lead sets will be cleaned and disinfected after every use

ECG’s:
·         All ECG’s will be obtained using undamaged electrodes from a sealed package.
·         4 lead ECG’s will utilize limb leads and be placed on the extremities on the inside of the wrists and ankles so as to avoid muscle and fatty tissues.
·         12 lead ECG’s will be obtained using both limb leads and standard 12-lead placement on the chest wall.
·         Clothing will be removed as required to obtain correct lead placement.
·         ECG quality will be best if performed in a stationary location with the patient as still as possible.

Blood pressure:
·         Obtaining a manual blood pressure for reference is desirable but should not delay patient assessment or care.
·         Correct cuff size is important both in width and length, the correct cuff can be fastened securely around the upper arm without extending into the armpit or covering anticubital fossa.
·         In cases where the upper arm cannot be used due to size and/or anatomy, the lower arm or thigh may be used. If an alternative location is used it must be documented with the blood pressure.
·         Limbs which are injured, amputated or contain fistulas should not be used.
·         While blood pressures are being obtained the patient should remain still and the cuff  and tubing should be free of any pressure points.

Pulse-oximetry/CO monitoring:
·         Never delay treatment to obtain pulse-oximetry
·         Finger probes shall be applied to clean, uninjured digits without fake nails and/or nail coatings.
·         Pulse-oximetry will not be reliable in patients with decreased peripheral circulation due to hypovolemia, shock, or temperature.
·         Environmental light sources may interfere with the device, blocking the light source by placing a wash cloth or towel over the probe may improve the quality of the signal.
·         If the patient has cold hands, placing a hot pack in the hand may improve the circulation and the quality of the signal.

Capnography:
·         All patients with an altered LOC, respiratory distress, suspected shock/sepsis and traumatic chest injury should receive capnography.

·         All patients who are intubated, have an advanced airway or receiving ventilatory support should receive capnography.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Another Patient Refusal

Another Patient Refusal
By Alan Perry
September 22, 2015

You arrive on the scene and approach the patient, before you can speak your partner ask “do you want to go to the hospital?” For many providers out there this has become a standard and acceptable line of questioning, intended to cut to the chase, but putting emphasis in the wrong place. I’m sure your partner is adroit at creating EMS reports that describe these calls in sufficient detail (or lack thereof) to avoid drawing attention. As a group we have hammered home the message of creating good documentation to defend against unwarranted claims of poor patient care. This type of event is one that should concern all of us as professionals, ideally we took this job and accepted this role because we care for people and want to do what is best for them. Unfortunately some are compelled to act in this role because of changes in the work environment, or out of necessity, without the presumed desire to do this work, creating a serious lack of empathy and/or ethics when dealing with another person’s health issues. Other explanations might include laziness or burnout. Whatever the cause, it must be corrected. Patient refusals where the patient does not express a total unwillingness to go to the hospital without prompting, encouragement, or coercion should be rightly classified as provider initiated patient refusals. If we are honest about how often these occur, the potential and real effects of these refusals to the patient, and our reputation as a profession, we should all conclude that as professionals our first question to the patient should not be a decision to refuse. The best approach is always to gather information, chief complaint, history and vitals so you can at least form an opinion of the patient’s condition before you even ask if it’s ok for you to take them to the hospital. A refusal should be the exception, not the norm.


Be safe, do good work

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Friday, February 20, 2015

Gathering of Eagles 2015 -Day 1

Summary of the Gathering of Eagles 2015, Day 1

2/20/2015

By Alan Perry

The Gathering of Eagles is a unique EMS conference featuring brief, topical contributions from Operational Medical directors and noted EMS professionals from the top EMS systems in the United States and elsewhere in the World. In the spirit of the conferences format of providing fast paced, to the point presentation on current and relevant issues this summary will attempt to capture the essence of the material presented in single sentences. Actual presentations are available on the website; www.gatheringofeagles.us

Topics covered in today’s 8 hour session:
o   Dealing with termination of resuscitation; using ultrasound, echo, and EEG as tools to make better decisions. Stay & save v. transporting patients in arrest. Provider training for death notification.
o   Approaches for achieving ROSC; M- CPR reliability v. S-CPR. Scene management improves outcomes. Reducing “off-chest” time and distractions like PEA.
o   Dispatch and Deployment; Mapping, locating and verifying  PADS. Sending the right resources. Criteria based dispatch. Tiered deployment & provider volume/proficiency questions. Planning for staffing shortages. Police, public & BLS Narcan.
o   Trauma topics; C-collar efficacy, Is trauma a BLS skill? Plasma for shock/hypovolemia. Using a compensatory reserve index. Tempus pro review.
o   Sacred cows and standards of care; is glucagon cost effective? Dangers of too much oxygen. Keeping ED docs off the radio.


Add to this an exciting level of respectful disagreement and discussion, as well as many good questions from the attendees; I would say it was a very informative and useful exercise. Can’t wait for tomorrow.

Stay tuned,
Alan