Pocono Mountain Regional EMS September 2018 Newsletter

S E P T E M B E R 2 018

PMREMS newsletter

regionalresource

Rotary Club of the Pocono Mountains members share a September 29 Concert in the Park pause with PMREMS guest Nick DeWitt

EMSpartnerships Autumn is stirring up some

awesome partnership opportunities for the community and Pocono Mountain Regional EMS is a part of all the action.

Sharing information with our readers we’re excited to tell of organizations like Rotary Club of the Pocono Mountains creating a Rotary Rally eager to roll their sleeves up for a challenge.

Lehigh Valley Health Network gives facts from physicians for an informative read. While local community association, A Pocono Country Place, adds tips for a festive, safe holiday.

Read on and feel free to reach out with any Regional Resource feature ideas you’d like to see.

Stay connected

for videos, photos and up to the minute news facebook.com/ PoconoMountainRegionalEmergencyMedicalSer vices

IN THIS EDITION 2 Rotary Rally A Cardiac Monitor Opportunity 4 Technology to Save a Life Equipment What’s & Why’s 5 LVHN: Ask the Doctor Physicians facts 6 Halloween Safety Scene Trick or Treat Tips for the Trip 8 EMS Where’s

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artnering with organizations across the region Pocono Mountain Regional EMS shares another awesome idea with fundraising as the reason– Rotary Club of the Pocono Mountains’ Rally for Cardiac Monitors.

The clever organization has developed this intriguing challenge encouraging residents and businesses to donate; then vows to dedicate up to $ 5,000 to match our total! Recently announcing the opportunity at September 29’s Barrett & Paradise Concert in the Park, we’re off to a great start with inquiries and ideas rolling through.

How will you make your mark in PMREMS Cardiac Monitor fundraising? With (4) monitors costing $35,000 each, in addition to service contracts needed by 2022; the choice is up to YOU!

Interested in the opportunity to join in & donate or share your own group’s idea to rally the troops?

Here’s what you can do...

MAIL

Checks Payable to PMREMS with Rotary Rally for Cardiac Monitors in the memo to: PMREMS 135 Tegawitha Road Tobyhanna, PA 18466

CALL

570.839.8485 Ext.104 570.517.1792

e h t f i o a t y n r u a t o M Ro o n o c t u o o k P c e the ch ONLINE PMREMS.org

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ardiac Monitoring—the fundamental noninvasive Advanced Life Support skill frequently used in pre-hospital settings, screens a patient’s heart rhythm detecting potentially life-threatening changes. Integrated into cardiac/heart monitors are additional capabilities of 12-lead EKG (Electrocardiogram), defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, waveform capnography, and automatic blood pressure examination.

As emergency medical practices become more evolved; equipment such as this enables professionals to provide immediate

enhanced life-saving service.

When seconds count, information and preparation prove to be a positive combination. Using the 12-lead EKG as a diagnostic tool, displayed readings can be transmitted directly to the hospital alerting physicians before arrival and increasing chances of survival.

While evolution is a progressive expectation, as the latest in stateof-the-art technology comes to be; it’s also inevitably a difficult obstacle to overcome for nonprofit emergency response organizations like Pocono Mountain Regional EMS. Faced with current Cardiac Monitors becoming obsolete in 2022, with no parts to be manufactured or

service performed, PMREMS is preparing to replace four machines not by choice but necessity.

Each costing over $35,000.00; a community call-to-action comes with hope for positive reaction.

With no contribution too great or too small, thanks in advance goes out to all who continue assisting our ambulance service in acquiring life-saving equipment and providing the most advanced pre-hospital care to the community we serve.

Donations* can be sent to 135 Tegawitha Drive, Tobyhanna, PA 18466

Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving Barrett, Coolbaugh, Paradise, Tobyhanna, and Tunkhannock townships in addition to the Borough of Mount Pocono plus providing support for surrounding areas. *Consult with your tax advisor regarding tax deductible donations.

Ask the Doctor Heat Related Injuries

I work outside and during the summer it can be tough. How can I avoid heat related injuries?

A: Pete Obeng, MD

Preventing heat related injuries

Heat related injuries impact many individuals who spend time outside for recreation or work purposes. There are four types of heat related disorders to understand: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat syncope.

One of the best ways to reduce heat related illness is to reduce exposure. Activities should be moved to a cool, shaded place if possible. For those who have to work in the heat, there should be work-rest cycles that allow workers to cool down and hydrate.

Workers should be educated about heat injuries and instructed to work in pairs so that they can monitor each other. It is important that supervisors and managers are trained about heat injuries so that they can properly direct work activities.

1) Heat stroke: This is a medical emergency and is the most severe and life-threatening type of heat injury. In this state, the body’s cooling system has failed so the skin may be dry and hot.

Signs of heat stroke: Elevated body temperature along with confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness.

Care: Seek immediate medical help. Any delay in treatment can lead to death or permanent disabilities. While waiting for emergency responders, move person to a cool area and do everything possible to cool the person.

2) Heat exhaustion: This heat injury occurs after a person has lost excessive fluid and salt through sweating.

Signs of heat exhaustion: Feeling very thirsty, weak, fatigued, nausea, headaches and confusion.

Care: Move person to cool area and seek medical help.

Acclimatization – Those who are not used to working in the heat should be allowed time to adjust. Work should be limited to 1/5 of the usual work on the first day with gradual lengthening or work time over one or two weeks. Workers who have experience working in warmer weather should start at about half of the usual duration and gradually increase over a week.

Hydration – Workers should maintain a good hydration regimen with fluids containing electrolytes, such as sports drinks. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol should be avoided as they will lead to increase loss of water.

3) Heat cramps: This is a very common condition caused by exposure to heat and relative decrease in body sodium level. This happens if a person is sweating excessively and drinking plain water. Sodium is lost through sweating and intake of water causes dilution or imbalance of sodium. The loss of sodium leads to muscle cramps as sodium is an important element in the muscle contraction process.

Signs of heat cramps: Muscle spasms (commonly known as muscle cramps).

Care: Move to cool area and drink sports drink with electrolytes.

Dehydration awareness – One of the easiest ways to monitor your hydration status is to observe the color of urine. Dark yellow to brown urine can indicate dehydration, while a well hydrated individual will have clear to light yellow urine. Remember that certain medical conditions, foods and vitamin supplements can change urine color so this has to be taken into consideration. In a normally functioning kidney, urine output is usually about every 2 hours, but in dehydration urination becomes less frequent.

4) Heat syncope: Refers to sudden loss of consciousness that is usually due to decreased blood pressure to the brain. A combination of factors causes this – dehydration which reduces body fluid volume and dilatation of blood vessels which is a mechanism the body relies on to cool down. This can create a lower blood pressure to the brain, and that results in loss of consciousness.

Signs of heat syncope: Loss of consciousness (fainting, passing out).

Care: Help person to cool area. Seek immediate medical attention for anyone who loses consciousness.

Finally, there are many available resources to help educate and guide work activities in hot conditions. Employers can find information and guides on the websites for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at osha.gov and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at cdc.gov/niosh. Heat index information is available from online weather services.

Clothing – Whenever possible, light materials and loose clothing should be worn in order to improve heat exchange.

Pete Obeng, MD, is medical director of the Occupational Medicine Clinic at LVPG Occupational Medicine–Tannersville. Obeng holds a medical degree from Howard University, as well as a master’s degree in public health from Meharry Medical College, where he completed his residency in occupational medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

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on scene...

Supporting other causes Denise Doremus and Sue Kulick complete the Susan G. Komen 3-Day

n i s u e e s e Com

OCTOBER

21st

BARRETT TWP HALLOWEEN PARADE Want more details...

CLICK HERE

27th

PMREMS’ HALLOWEEN spooktacular Want more details...

CLICK HERE

Headquarters135 Tegawitha Road, Tobyhanna, PA 18466 WebPMREMS.org Phone570.839.8485