Dispatch 030515

SEPSIS, FREE BBQ & “SLAP THE CAP” TRAINING

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“Ready…Fire…Aim…” (as a firing canon goes off). This is a recipe for disaster; whether you are sport hunting or working on projects to improve your organization.

Welcome to Medic 102. I’m Doc Studnek. Last week, we spent time discussing a method we use to clarify the objective of our project work the pull card. An integral part of the pull card is the aim statement. The aim statement answers these three questions: What do you want to change? By how much do you want to change? How long will change take? (For more info, check out Pull Cards, here). However, we never discussed how much improvement we wanted to see and how long we think the change may take. Just like in hunting, it is important to know what we are aiming at. It’s equally important to set a target for said improvement.

Jason, a telecommunication student asks, “Why is aim so important?”

say that 100% of the time a process should be completed. However, is it realistic?

If the average compression rate during a cardiac arrest is 95 compressions per minute, would an increase to 104 (a 10% difference) be meaningful? How could we know? What information would we need to make that judgment? Conversely, if our target was to deliver defibrillation in 6 seconds at 100% compliance, from stop of compression, is that realistic? It is likely that we could get close to but never sustain 100% performance in any goal or target. After all, we are human; not super human.

Variation in systems exist. We want to reduce that variation. But aiming for 100% compliance to anything is usually unrealistic. Setting a target takes research, subject matter expertise, knowledge of your current performance, knowledge of where you want to go and why. In other words setting a target takes a little work.

3. Will the project require training?

4. How much time do we have to dedicate to the project?

5. How confident are we in our improvement theories?

Or we could just say, “It’ll take 3 months. Ok, let’s not do that.” Target time completion should be realistic. And we should appropriate an efficient amount of time and urgency (pressure) on the project work team(s). Because after all, that’s what each project deserves.

Next week, we conclude discussing the creation of a pull card AND ‘how “Glad you asked, Jason,” Doc Stud- The last piece of an aim statement is to pitch your improvement idea to nek states. Setting a target for im- determining how long the change agency leadership’. provement is important because it will take. This has a lot of factors gives the project team a goal that within it that should be assessed: And as always, if you have any quesallows them to measure success. tions or topic ideas, please email TifTherefore, when setting the target, 1. How complicated is the pro- fany at tiffanya@medic911.com. it needs to be realistic and should cess you are trying to change? avoid arbitrary goals. It is easy to say 2. Do we have to purchase some- CLASS DISMISSED! that we want to improve by 10% or thing new?

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As previously noted, the latest Performance Pay Tracking Period began on November 1st. We are striving to meet the Patient Satisfaction goal of a ≥ 68% rating (experience as “Excellent”).

In order to create a comfortable margin of performance, while continuing to improve the patient experience, we would like to share some feedback from recent patient focus groups.

The two areas that patients value the most are: 1. Communication from the treating crew: “Explain treatment options and procedures” “Provide reassurance and compassionate communication with the patient” 2. Setting clear expectations: “Set transport length expectation” “Set a triage level expectation before arriving at the hospital”

SEPTEMBER 2014

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Capnography and EKG Training Free Event Register with OEMS: http://terms.ncem.org Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 23 Mar 24 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Oct 3 - 7

College of Albemarle Martin CC Lenoir CC Sampson CC Robeson CC Stanly CC Surry CC Davidson CC Caldwell CC Buncombe CC Southwest CC Cleveland CC EM Today 2015

For more info, contact Brian Shimberg at brians@medic911.com or 704-943-6142.

As discussed in a previous communication regarding American Heart Association certifications, Medical Services will be offering Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Healthcare Provider courses in March. These update courses are being offered for those employees who are expiring and who would like to remain current either voluntarily or because they are required to have the certifications for commitments outside of Medic.

Due to inclement weather on February 16th, one of the sessions offered was cancelled. We have rescheduled this class for Friday March 6th from 1300 to 1700. Those employees wishing to recertify in only BLS can attend and will be finished after approximately an hour and a half.

Maintaining these certifications is no longer a requirement at Medic. Therefore there will be no pay for attending these classes. Course completion cards will be available for purchase at the end of the class. If you missed the November 2014 AHA in-service due to an excused form of leave (FMLA, Military Leave, OJI, etc) then you can attend this offering with pay and you will be provided a course completion card.

If you would like to attend this offering, please register through the LMS (https://medic911.plateau.com).

From your home screen in the LMS, click on the “featured� box to find the course to register.

If you are unable to attend on March 6th, we will offer these classes again in August.

If you have any questions, please contact Brian Shimberg at brians@medic911.com or 704-943-6142.

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Q: A:

Sepsis study? What are you studying?

We’re collecting data to understand the best resources for identifying potentially septic patients in the pre-hospital setting. There are several decision aids for identifying septic patients that have been tested and validated for use in hospitals; however, no tools exist for pre-hospital identification. We’re testing those hospital-validated tools in our system to identify septic patients sooner and more reliably.

Q: A:

Why does it matter if they’re identified sooner?

Septic patients have a mortality rate ranging between 25 - 50% out of the gate. Additionally, research shows that every hour delay in administration of antibiotics equates to a 7.6% decreased chance of survival. Sepsis protocols call for administration of a fluid bolus before antibiotics. So, the sooner the patient is identified, the sooner they receive fluids, the sooner they receive antibiotics, the better chance they have at survival.

Q: A:

How many patients are we talking about?

The actual incidence rate (number of new patients at risk in a population) of septic patients is disputed, but the accepted rate is 24.0 in 10,000 patients. When you extrapolate that to the million residents of Mecklenburg County, we could anticipate 2,400 septic patients annually. We won’t necessarily trans- port all septic patients, but the preliminary results suggest we will get close.

Q: A:

Where is my thermometer?

We’re in the pilot testing phase right now, which means we’re using only a subset of paramedic crew chiefs to test the decision aid and thermometer. Once the data is analyzed and a decision aid is selected, we will begin implementation of a new sepsis protocol.

For more information, please contact Allison Infinger at allisoni@medic911.com or 704-943-6256.

The 30th Annual Appreciation Dinner is for all Westside Fire, Rescue and Law Enforcement.

• Homemade BBQ and all the trimmings.

• Fire, Rescue and Law Enforcement families are invited to attend • Casual Dress FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015 1630 - 1930 COVENANT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 6824 Tuckaseegee Road Charlotte, NC 28214 For more information, please call 704-392-3925. ***This is not a Medic sponsored event***

SEPTEMBER 2014

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MAR 2015

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5 COMPLIANCE 0800 - 1200

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9 SIMULATION 1000 - 1200 1300 - 1500 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

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12 SIMULATION 1000 - 1200 1300 - 1500 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

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14 COMPLIANCE 1600 - 2200

16 SIMULATION 0800 - 1000 1100 - 1300 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

17 SIMULATION 1000 - 1200 1300 - 1500 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

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23 SIMULATION 0800 - 1000 1100 - 1300 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

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30 SIMULATION 1600 - 1800 1900 - 2100 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

31 SIMULATION 1000 - 1200 1300 - 1500 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

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1. COMPLIANCE 1300 - 1700 2. SIMULATION 0800 - 1000 1100 - 1300 3. FISDAP 0830 - 1830

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

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1. COMPLIANCE 0800 - 1200 2. SIMULATION 0800 - 1000 1100 - 1300 3. FISDAP 0830 - 1830

18 SIMULATION 1600 - 1800 1900 - 2100 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

19 SIMULATION 0800 - 1000 1100 - 1300 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

25 SIMULATION 1000 - 1200 1300 - 1500 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

26 SIMULATION 1600 - 1800 1900 - 2100 FISDAP 0830 - 1830

1. COMPLIANCE 1300 - 1700 2. SIMULATION 1000 - 1200 1300 - 1500 3. FISDAP 0830 - 1830

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REQUIRED ATTENDANCE

INFORMATION UPDATES

Stephanie Benson, Nickolas Bringolf, Ronisha Carr, Carrie Cole, Michael Conklin, Yolanda Edmonds, Miguel Flechas, Joseph Gilchrist, Vonita Ham, Rebekah Hart-O’Sullivan, John Hunt, Chad Kennedy, Robbie Lamb, Shari Lambeth, Bobbi Lindsey, Nicholas Lommerse, Anna McCarley, Masayo McCormick, Elisabeth Mitchell, Hunter Mitchell, Tyler Mohr, Kara Murray, Tyler North, Macon Parker, Ethan Parker, Christopher Peet, Gary Richardson, John Ryan, Thomas Slack, Lindsay Smith, Margaret Truesdell, Greg , Truesdell, Troy White Jonathan Wilford and Bill Woods.

• Please register for your Corporate Compliance Training session through LMS. • The duration of the Medic Safety & Compliance Training sessions is up to 4 hours.

• Attendees will be paid for the total time spent in class.

• Each employee, with an Annual Performance Review within that same month, MUST attend one of the available Compliance Training Sessions.

• Compliance sessions are held next to the Medic Fitness Center.

PLEASE NOTE: If your Annual Performance Review was in For more information on Corporate Compliance Class or Feburay and you did not attend the February class, you if you need directions, please contact Amy Broughton at must contact Amy Broughton to attend a March class. amyb@medic911.com.

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MARCH COMPLIANCE Thu, Mar 5 0800 - 1200 Wed, Mar 11 0800 - 1200 Sat, Mar 14 1600 - 2000 Fri, Mar 20 1300 - 1700 Tue, Mar 24 1300 - 1700

MARCH SIMULATION Mon, Mar 9 1000 - 1200

1300 - 1500 Wed, Mar 11 0800 - 1000

1100 - 1300 Thu, Mar 12 1000 - 1200

1300 - 1500 Mon, Mar 16 0800 - 1000

1100 - 1300 Tue, Mar 17 1000 - 1200

1300 - 1500

Wed, Mar 18 1600 - 1800

1900 - 2100 Thu, Mar 19 0800 - 1000

1100 - 1300 Fri, Mar 20 1000 - 1200

1300 - 1500 Mon, Mar 23 0800 - 1000

1100 - 1300 Tue, Mar 24 0800 - 1000

1100 - 1300 Wed, Mar 25 1000 - 1200

1300 - 1500 Thu, Mar 26 1600 - 1800

1900 - 2100 Mon, Mar 30 1600 - 1800

1900 - 2100 Tue, Mar 31 1000 -1200

1300 - 1500

MARCH FISDAP Mon, Mar 9 0830 - 1830 Wed, Mar 11 0830 - 1830 Thu Mar 12 0830 - 1830 Mon, Mar 16 0830 - 1830 Tue, Mar 17 0830 - 1830 Wed, Mar 18 0830 - 1830 Thu, Mar 19 0830 - 1830 Fri, Mar 20 0830 - 1830 Mon, Mar 23 0830 - 1830 Tue, Mar 24 0830 - 1830 Wed, Mar 25 0830 - 1830 Thu, Mar 26 0830 - 1830 Mon, Mar 30 0830 - 1830 Tue, Mar 31 0830 - 1830

Please be aware of the following situations when responding to calls: 1. Parking at Pineville VFD. Pineville VFD has limited parking which needs to be accessible 24 / 7. They ask that we only park in our designated parking space in order to keep other parking open. Please be careful of the fence when parking.

2. CMC-Pineville Rehabilitation and Long Term Acute Care Facility are located on the campus of CMC Pineville at the far end of the Emergency Department driveway. The rehab facility is on the 2nd floor.

The Specialty Hospital is on the 3rd and 4th floors. The facility staff wanted us to understand their position as it relates to a couple of issues. • These are not a primary care facilities. They must transfer a patient with a new onset of illness or injury to the Emergency Department for evaluation. • Facility policy does not normally allow for advanced medical interventions on someone who is not admitted to their facility. They will administer basic care and CPR as needed. The staff wants Medic to be aware that response to this circumstance should be handled in the same manner that you would approach any patient in a public place.

The facility staff spoke well of their encounters with Medic and Pineville VFD. They wanted to give us a clear understanding of their practices in advance.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Bob Francis at bobf@medic911.com or at 704-943SEPTEMBER 2014 6251.

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The Rotary Club of Charlotte Public Safety Scholarship Fund Deadline Date (EST Time Zone): 03/16/2015 12:00PM DESCRIPTION Provides undergraduate scholarships to the children of Mecklenburg County first responders - police, fire, MEDIC and sheriff on the basis of academic merit, financial need and community service.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS • Parent(s) must be a full-time employee of the Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office or MEDIC, with a minimum of one-year of service • Must be a graduating high school senior planning to enter a two-year or four-year degree program at an accredited institution • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) HOW TO APPLY 1. Click http://bit.ly/1Kl5hX6 2. Type in public safety in the “Find Scholarship by Keyword” box 3. Click on The Rotary Club of Charlotte Public Safety Scholarship Fund 4. Apply NEED ASSISTANCE The PR team would be happy to assist you with the application process. Please contact myself, Lester or Tara.

CONTACT INFORMATION For questions about this application, please contact Qiana Austin at qaustin@fftc.org.

Click here and nominate someone today!