EMS NOTES

-- Pediatric Stethoscopes have been placed in the Orange Bags on all apparatus that are certified at the Advanced -- Basic Level or higher. Please remind all members that there are to be two stethoscopes (an Adult and a Pediatric) on these apparatus at all times. This is a State Requirement. The apparatus check sheets will reflect this change.

-- There is now an IV Cooler In-Service on Medic 41. This unit will be used to chill Sodium Chloride for use in Induced Hypothermia following Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. Please remind all personnel to review the Induced Hypothermia Protocol. Research indicates that in order for the chilled IV fluids to be effective, they should be cooled and stored at 4C (39.2F). The instruction manual for our unit indicates that "Setting Level 1" will chill the fluids to the therapeutic recommendation. Personnel inspecting the apparatus should vigilantly ensure that the temperature adjustment control switch is turned to level "1". The apparatus check sheet for Medic 41 will reflect this change.

-- When Medic 41 transports a patient following an ALS Intercept from a different agency, the "Blue Billing Form" should not be sent to our Billing Company. The invoice for the transport will be billed to the BLS Agency that receives the intercept. It will be the responsibility of the BLS Agency to submit payment to Harris Township for the ALS care. Personnel completing the Patient Care Report should document this fact on the face of the "Blue Billing Form", including the name of the agency that received the intercept.

-- When personnel transfer care of a patient to the staff at Memorial Hospital, they must also personally deliver their completed Patient Care Report to the nurse they transfered the care to. It is no longer an accepted practice to leave the PCR on the chart or the counter top at MHSB. The nurse will place the pre-hospital run report on his / her copy of the Patient's chart in the ED. There have been several recent cases where the continuum of a Patient's care was jeopardized because the staff at the hospital could not locate the EMS Run Report.

-- Please have all personnel direct any changes they note to the daily / weekly apparatus inspection forms to Paramedic Schmitt. He will make any necessary adjustments to the form(s). The most up-to-date version of all apparatus inspection forms will be available for personnel to print from the G:\ Drive at the following location: G:\Forms\Apparatus & Equipment Inspection Forms.