Inside EMS

Putting education standards front and center

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

From monkeypox to state licensure, to certification requirements and funding recruitment programs, it’s been a busy few weeks in EMS news. In this episode of Inside EMS, our cohosts run down the biggest news stories of the day, and what they mean for the future of EMS.

Together, they discuss:

• Monkeypox. With cases now identified in all 50 states, including a handful of pediatric cases, is it time to be anticipatory in preparing for a monkeypox emergency? Chris and Kelly discuss how transmission method, decontamination practices and COVID fatigue all come into play.
• State licensure. After the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced that it has established an EMS task force to evaluate medical services, systems and a state licensing system, Chris and Kelly applaud their efforts and encourage others to look to other states for programs and solutions to EMS staffing issues.
• A state-funded EMT class. Pennsylvania is using state dollars to fund an EMT class for underemployed residents, supported by the Johnstown Fire Department, with training provided by Conemaugh School of Emergency Medical Services Program Director Mike Rodgers. Kelly notes this creative solution will hopefully help to grow the EMS talent pool, but cautions, “we don’t have a paramedic shortage; we have a shortage of paramedics who are willing to work in toxic environments.” As long as the graduates are placed in positive environments, he can’t see a downside. “Hopefully this seed corn that Pennsylvania is developing here isn’t spoiled and is allowed to take root in a positive environment with a good agency and help relieve some of the staffing woes there in Pennsylvania,” he comments.
• NREMT certification proposal. Finally, our cohosts discuss the EMS story that had everyone up in arms. After a lively comment period, the National Registry rescinded a resolution that would have changed EMS certification eligibility criteria. Kelly noted in his opinion, and according to the majority of comments received, this was a potential step backward for EMS. Our cohosts discuss how the comment period worked exactly as it should, and the National Registry listened to the stakeholders, while also putting education standards front and center.

TXA in the field: Uses, protocols and why it should be considered for shock, trauma patients

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle the topic of TXA, including its uses and how to administer it. In a recent article, "Understanding TXA," columnist Jonathan Lee offers an overview on how TXA is becoming a mainstay in the field and makes a case for it to be considered for shock and trauma patients. Grayson, who carries TXA on his ambulance, shares the protocols for the drug's administration and management. 

REMSA Health’s Adam Heinz on developing a successful EMS system

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this week's episode, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by Adam Heinz, executive director of REMSA Health in Reno, Nevada. The trio discusses the future of EMS, how agencies should rethink current systems and the role of EMS providers, and the best ways to recruit and retain new career professionals. Adam also shares the four P's for developing a successful EMS system.

Dr. Joe Ryan on the ‘silver tsunami’

This episode of EMS One-Stop is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, recorded at the Pinnacle EMS 2022 leadership conference, Host Rob Lawrence chats with Joe Ryan, MD.

Dr. Ryan is adjunct clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at Stanford University and is well known as a veteran EMS medical director at some of the most notable EMS operations in the country, past and present, including MAST in Kansas City; City of Pittsburgh EMS; Sun Star in Pinellas County, Florida; Santa Clara County EMS in California; and REMSA in Reno, Nevada. 

Dr. Ryan was at Pinnacle to pay homage to his lifelong friend, Jack Stout, whose life was celebrated at the conference.

In the podcast, Dr. Ryan discusses the origins of high-performance EMS and his involvement with Jack Stout as he set EMS systems up. Additionally, Rob and Dr. Ryan look to the future and discuss the “silver tsunami” in geriatric healthcare.

Greetings from Pinnacle: Bruce Evans, Rob Lawrence, Chris Cebollero on the future of EMS

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this crossover edition of EMS One-Stop and Inside EMS, hosts Rob Lawrence and Chris Cebollero report together from Pinnacle EMS 2022 leadership conference and are joined by guest Bruce Evans, president of NAEMT. 

During the discussion, Bruce issues a call-to-action to save ambulance services as we know it, in the face political, reimbursement and recruiting pressures. The crew also discusses their favorite presenters and presentations from the conference, and offer a vivid description of the memorial to the late Jack Stout, considered to be the father of high-performance EMS systems.

 

Solutions to EMS staffing woes from down under

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

There are more paramedics in Australia than there are paramedic jobs!

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence speaks with Mick Lazell, Neil Noble, Alan Mountford and Colin Allen of Australia EMS.

They are currently in the U.S., leading a study tour of undergraduate paramedic students from various Australian universities. They discuss the over-production of graduate paramedics in Australia and how they hope that visa, and clinical certification and registration hurdles can be overcome to allow Australian paramedics to seek employment in the US.

As we head to the Pinnacle EMS leadership conference, this could provide a key discussion point as we desperately seek to increase our clinical workforce.

Hot topics: EMT handcuffed by cop at hospital; NAEMSP’s response to NREMT certification change

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson analyze the most popular stories of the week, beginning with an incident in Rochester, New York, where an EMT hit a police officer's squad car that was parked in the ambulance bay with the rig door, leading to the officer eventually handcuffing the provider. 

Our co-hosts then discuss the statement put out by the NAEMSP regarding NREMT's change to education standards – which is open for public comment until Aug. 17. 

The talk then turns to an assault of a paramedic and nurse after a patient was placed in triage at a local hospital. Every EMS organization should be aware of the rise in violence and have a plan in place to keep EMS providers safe on duty.

How reputations are built and can implode

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence welcomes Matt Zavadsky, MS-HSA, EMT, chief strategic integration officer of MedStar Ft Worth.

Matt describes how Walt Disney World’s culture and approach to the guest experience contain important lessons for EMS agencies, our leaders and our providers. The conversation covers:

• The importance of branding
• How reputations are built and can implode
• The importance of “cast member” selection for your agency
• How paying attention to the 1,000 little things create a magical immersive experience for your employees and patients

EMS1 is the premier media partner at the Pinnacle EMS conference and Rob and Matt also highlight the pre-conference session, “Hot topics in high-performance/high-value EMS,” as well as the AIMHI webinar, “How much funding do you need?” which will be featured in a future episode.

Taking the stress out of communication

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T. FirstNet uses the latest technology to keep your lines of communication and data open – to help you respond faster, smarter and safer.

In this episode of Inside EMS, our cohosts,  Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson, are joined by former EMS Director for the state of Utah, and current FirstNet Board Member, Paul Patrick.

The discussion revolves around communication and making communication a stress-free resource. Patrick shares his knowledge on how communication can be hampered in MCI response, how we changed our communication practice during the pandemic and what we learned for the future of communication.

He then shares some information about the history of FirstNet, how it came about and what it means for the first responder community. 

Logistics with Joe O’Hare of Boston EMS

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

"Amateurs talk tactics. Professionals talk logistics" — General Omar Bradley

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence chats with Superintendent Joe O'Hare of Boston EMS. After an illustrious EMS career, O'Hare is heading into a well-earned retirement. Rob and Joe reflect on leadership lessons learned as well as Joe’s experience as EMS commander during the Boston Marathon bombing.

The conversation covers leadership, partnership, cooperation, interoperability, logistics, NIMS, ICS and the Olympic flame.