Tag: JEMS

JEMS | Quality of Handoffs from EMS to ED

Quality of Handoffs from Emergency Medical Services to Emergency Department Providers

Literature and study team experience indicate emergency medical services (EMS) to emergency department provider handoffs could be an opportunity for improvement in emergency medical care. To date, no study has been published to specifically determine the perceived quality of handoffs between EMS and emergency department providers in the state of Minnesota. This exploratory project could help provide insight toward improving handoffs and guide future research and quality improvement projects.

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JEMS | Approaches in Prehospital Sepsis Screening

From JEMS on January 5, 2021

by Katherine J. Coulter, Mary F. Hintzsche

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019), at least 1.7 million American adults develop sepsis each year, of which 270,000 die from sepsis-related complications. Sepsis is an underlying infection that occurs in an individual’s body when he/she responds to a severe infection.1 An infection that may result in sepsis is not limited to one system of a person’s body,2 but often, sepsis is linked to infections in the lungs, kidneys, skin or bowels.1

Emergency medical service providers transfer approximately 50% of septic patients.3 Septic patients are very ill. These patients are at increased risk of death if sepsis progresses to septic shock.3 Without timely identification of sepsis, and prompt intervention methods to decrease the infection’s severity, an individual’s likelihood of mortality increases.

The CDC has several sepsis-related projects underway. Projects developed by the CDC to reduce sepsis mortality rates include community and consumer education, developing tools for tracking and surveilling sepsis, and further preventing infections contracted in healthcare settings.1 In 2016, the CDC created an early recognition and timely sepsis treatment effort entitled “Get Ahead of Sepsis.”2 The purpose of this effort is to emphasize the critical nature of early recognition of sepsis, prevention of infection through education to the layperson, emergency medical services (EMS), and healthcare professionals.

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JEMS | Ambulance Market Growth

From JEMS

Ambulance Services Market to Grow by $7.77 Billion amid COVID-19 Spread

Market research firm Technavio says the ambulance services market is poised to grow by $7.77 billion during 2020-2024. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers and the overall market environment.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform the growth of various industries, however, the immediate impact of the outbreak is varied. While a few industries will register a drop in demand, numerous others will continue to remain unscathed and show promising growth opportunities. COVID-19 will have a low impact on the ambulance services market. The market growth in 2020 is likely to increase compared to the market growth in 2019.

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JEMS | FDNY EMS & Fire Fatalities Jan-Aug 2020

From JEMS on November 19, 2020

Occupational Fatalities Among EMS Clinicians and Firefighters in the New York City Fire Department; January to August 2020

On October 6, 2020, the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) conducted a memorial service for department members who had recently died. It was a somber ceremony for the many fallen personnel. The ceremony was very inclusive and noted the passing of emergency responders, FDNY civilians and mechanics as well as a paramedic who had come to NYC on a FEMA deployment to assist during the pandemic.1 The information on the notice also provided an opportunity for a preliminary agency-level epidemiology analyses to develop a better understanding of the risks faced by FDNY personnel in 2020.

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in EMS

From JEMS on October 9, 2020

Recognizing and Supporting EMS Providers with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

By Meredith M. O’Neal, MA; Simone Joannou, MA; and James Langabeer, PhD, EMT

About 30 percent of first responders develop mental health disorders, including depression, Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as compared with 20 percent in the general population.3 Another common occupational risk factor includes acute and chronic exposure to both primary and secondary trauma, the latter referring to the phenomenon of emotional and moral attachment to the experience of the individuals they rescue.

These overwhelming demands from first responders can lead to compassion fatigue, a depleted capacity for empathy that results in various behavioral issues including depression and anxiety. Burnout is a similar phenomenon of exhaustion resulting from occupational strain such as overwork and lack of support from leadership. These conditions have been found to directly contribute to the more than doubled suicide rates among medics than other professionals.

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7/30 | JEMS Paramedicine Strategic Planning Webinar

From JEMS, Sponsored by Zoll

Paramedicine Strategic Planning

  • DATE: July 30, 2020 at 1:00 PM EDT / 12:00 PM CDT / 10:00 AM PDT / 5:00 PM GMT
  • DURATION: 1 Hour.
  • CEU: A certificate of attendance will be offered.
  • PRESENTED BY: Brian J. Maguire, Dr.PH, MSA, EMT-P

The flaws in the current emergency medical system design are coming to light in the wake of COVID-19. The EMS system in the U.S. has fallen behind other countries on many quality indicators. Paramedicine clinicians remain very poorly paid, and the U.S. paramedicine system remains isolated and underfunded.

Operating with insufficient funding means agencies cannot afford to pay a professional wage. The median pay for EMTs and paramedics is $34,320. The median U.S. salary is $48,672. The low pay contributes to high personnel turnover.

There is no single U.S. federal agency solely charged with supporting paramedicine operations. No legislative mandate exists to engage in paramedicine operational research. There is no paramedicine-specific financial support to advance core initiatives at the federal level. This is in stark contrast to those programs legislated to support law enforcement, firefighting and public health. EMS also needs support at the state and local levels.

Dr. Maguire, and others, are proposing a new paramedicine system in the U.S., and urges all EMS professionals to call on federal, state and local representatives to immediately invest in the EMS system in order to care for current COVID-19 victims, to prepare for the next wave of this pandemic and to create the 21st century paramedicine system in the U.S.

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JEMS | Paramedicine Strategic Planning

By Brian J Maguire, Dr.PH, MSA, EMT-P, Scot Phelps, JD, MPH, Paul Maniscalco, PhD(c), MPA, MS, EMT/P, LP, Daniel R. Gerard, MS, RN, Andy Gienapp, NRP, Kathleen A. Handal, MD and Barbara J. O’Neill, PhD, RN

… Many of the system deficiencies can be traced to three main factors. First, there is no single U.S. federal agency solely charged with supporting paramedicine operations. Second, no legislative mandate exists to engage in paramedicine operational research. Third, there is no paramedicine-specific financial support to advance core initiatives at the federal, state, tribal and local levels…

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JEMS: The Ethics of PPE and EMS in the COVID-19 Era

Read the  full piece at JEMS.

By  Brian J Maguire, Dr.PH, MSA, EMT-PKirsty ShearerJohn McKeown, MAScot Phelps, JD, MPHDaniel R. Gerard, MS, RN, NRPKathleen A. Handal, MDPaul Maniscalco, PhD(c), MPA, MS, EMT/P, LP  and Barbara J. O’Neill, PhD, RN

These are trying times for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article we discuss two critical areas of concern. First, we articulate the ethical challenges EMS personnel face in the absence of having proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and offer some guidance on how to frame their decisions.

Second, we give voice to the urgent need for a national dialogue to address the needs of EMS clinicians and leaders. We present key questions that must be answered to improve the future structure of the profession and the safety of all personnel.

These are times that are putting EMS to the test. These are times that will define the future of EMS.

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2018 AAA Award Winners Announced

The American Ambulance Association is proud to announce this year’s award winners. Awards will be presented at the AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show Membership Meeting on Friday, September 7, 2018. Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners!

J. Walter Schaeffer Award

Dale Berry
The J. Walter Schaeffer Award is given annually to an individual whose work in EMS has contributed positively to the advancement of the industry as a whole. Dale has achieved this through his many years of commitment and service to the ambulance industry.

Robert L. Forbuss Lifetime Achievement Award

The Honorable Harvey Hall
The Robert L. Forbuss Lifetime Achievement Award is named in honor of the first Executive Director of the American Ambulance Association. It recognizes a volunteer leader who has made a significant long-term impact on the association. your decades of service, commitment, and dedication to the private ambulance industry, the AAA, and its members. The Honorable Harvey Hall has achieved this through his decades of service and dedication to the private ambulance industry, the AAA, and its members.

President’s Award

Jonathan Washko
These awards are bestowed by the President to volunteer leaders who have shown commitment to the advancement of the AAA, above and beyond the call of duty. This year, Jonathan Washko is being honored for being an outstanding volunteer who has worked tirelessly to advance high performance EMS.

2018 Affiliates of the Year

JEMS
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to award JEMS Magazine with the 2018 Affiliate of the Year Award. JEMS has achieved this honor through their support of AAA’s programs and services as our media partner.

Solutions Group
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to award Solutions Group with the 2018 Affiliate of the Year Award. Solutions Group has achieved this honor through their support of AAA’s educational programs and events.

EMS Partnership of the Year

The American Hospital Association
The EMS Partnership of the Year Award is given to an organization or individual whose collaboration with the AAA enhances educational programs, legislative priorities, and/or member benefits. The American Hospital Association has achieved this honor through their support of our 2018 legislative priority.

Distinguished Service Award

Amanda Riordan
AAA Vice President of Member Services Amanda Riordan is receiving a 2018 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to advancing AAA’s programs and services.

Join us once again in congratulating the 2018 winners! Learn more about the Annual Conference & Trade Show.

Ambulance Cost Data Collection is Coming

Although the most prominent ambulance provision passed in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (H.R. 1892) was the five-year extension of the Medicare add-ons, the Act also included important language directing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to collect cost and other financial data from ambulance service suppliers and providers.

This week, an editorial from AAA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tristan North was featured in the June issue of JEMS‘s “EMS Insider”. Read the full article►

Hurricane Harvey: JEMS-AAA Adopt-An-EMS-Family Program

JEMSEMS professionals selflessly serve their communities each day. But even the most capable healthcare providers sometimes need a little help themselves, especially in the face of a natural disaster. AAA has partnered with JEMS to assist EMS families severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana via the “Adopt-an-EMS-Family” program.

Established in August 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the program is empowers EMS agencies, their staff, and other participants to provide direct, personal support to EMTs, Paramedics, Dispatchers, and other EMS professionals who were significantly affected by a large-scale disaster.

We invite your ambulance service to join us in adopting the families of EMS providers recovering from the effects of Hurricane Harvey. Sign up below to be assigned a family or group of families to assist in their time of need. Thank you in advance for your support and participation.

Fighting for the Future of Ambulance Organizations

AAA Executive Vice President, Maria Bianchi, recently penned an Op-Ed for JEMS entitled: Join AAA in Fighting for the Future of Ambulance Organizations. Learn about the AAA’s work towards Payment Reform and join us in our fight for our future. Help ambulance organizations be identified as healthcare providers by those who have influence on our regulations and reimbursement rates.

Learn more about 2017 AAA Member Benefits!

Louisiana Floods: JEMS-AAA Adopt-A-Family Program

AAA is teaming up with JEMS to help our member organizations adopt the families of fellow EMS providers. If your company is interested in helping one or more families with clothing, household necessities, and more, please complete the short form below. Thank you for your time and generosity.

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American Ambulance Association and Journal of Emergency Medical Services Announce Collaboration

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact

Amanda Riordan
Membership Director
American Ambulance Association
703-610-0264
ariordan@ambulance.org
www.ambulance.org

A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P
Editor-In-Chief
Journal of Emergency Medical Services
858-638-2605
aheightman@pennwell.com
www.jems.com

Baltimore, MD, February 25, 2016 – The American Ambulance Association (AAA) and the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) today announced a collaboration to bring robust content and educational offerings to AAA members in the emergency medical services (EMS) and medical transportation industry.

AAA members will now receive complimentary access to EMS Insider gated content covering key EMS topics for top-level decision-makers. Additionally, JEMS will provide in-depth journalistic coverage, as the exclusive media partner, of AAA’s events and initiatives, including the Stars of Life EMS personnel recognition program.

“We are excited to bring innovative EMS Insider content and high-quality event coverage to our members,” said American Ambulance Association executive vice president Maria Bianchi. “We look forward to working with the JEMS team to shine light on the AAA Stars of Life who do so much for their communities.”

JEMS is pleased to collaborate with the American Ambulance Association,” said A.J. Heightman, editor-in-chief of JEMS and EMS Insider. “AAA members are EMS leaders, and we look forward to providing additional content that will support their efforts to provide expert care to patients while driving operational excellence.”

To kick off the partnership, AAA will exhibit at EMS Today Conference and Exposition|The JEMS Conference 2016 in Baltimore, February 25–27, accompanied by top leaders from the member community. JEMS will in turn serve as the official media partner of AAA’s Stars of Life in Washington, D.C. April 11–13, bringing fresh visibility to the EMS heroes honored there. The collaboration will carry through the 2016 AAA Annual Conference and Tradeshow and EMS Today Conference and Exposition|The JEMS Conference 2017 in Salt Lake City, UT, with additional content and networking opportunities for AAA members to be developed over time. “This is just the beginning,” said JEMS’s A.J. Heightman.

About the American Ambulance Association (AAA)

Founded in 1979, the American Ambulance Association represents hundreds of ambulance services across the United States that participate in emergency and nonemergency care and medical transportation. AAA’s advocacy, member resources, educational offerings, and publications support excellence in pre-hospital care, an essential part of the public healthcare system. www.ambulance.org

About the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS)

As “The Conscience of EMS,” JEMS leads the industry in providing the EMS advanced provider, instructor and administrator with clinical breakthroughs, product reviews, continuing education and more. JEMS is backed by the strength of PennWell, a media and information company with 130 print and online magazines and newsletters, 60 conferences and exhibitions on six continents, and an extensive offering of books, maps, websites, research products, digital media, and database services. www.jems.com.

About PennWell Corporation

Founded in 1910 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, PennWell Corporation is a privately held and highly diversified business-to-business media and information company that provides quality content and integrated marketing solutions for the following industries:  Oil and gas, electric power generation and delivery, hydropower, renewable energy, water and wastewater treatment, waste management, electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, optoelectronics, fiber-optics, aerospace and avionics, LEDs and lighting, fire and emergency services, public safety, and dental.

PennWell publishes over 130 print and online magazines and newsletters, conducts 60 conferences and exhibitions on six continents, and has an extensive offering of books, maps, websites, research and database services.  PennWell Public Safety, a PennWell business located in La Jolla, CA, produces public safety products and services including JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services), JEMS.com, Law Officer Magazine, EMS Today Conference and Exposition, LawOfficer.com and other products.

In addition to PennWell’s headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Company has major offices in Nashua, New Hampshire; London, England; Houston, Texas; San Diego and Mountain View, California; Fairlawn, New Jersey; Moscow, Russia; and Hong Kong, China.  www.pennwell.com

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AAA Members Save on EMS Today!

In 2016, AAA is working closely with the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) to bring members even more high-quality educational opportunities.

As such, we are proud to offer members a special Buy-One, Get-One discount on Gold Passport registrations to the upcoming EMS Today conference in Baltimore, February 25–27. Register for a Gold Passport with code AAA before February 12, and you will receive a code for a free Gold Passport to share with a friend!

Learn More

EMS Today (a JEMS conference)
February 25–27, 2016
Baltimore Convention Center