INSIDE THIS ISSUE: EMS Week 2014
2
Paramedic Cohort Application Ext
May In-Service Dates
3
May Corporate Compliance Sessions 7
Dr. Swanson’s Monthly Memo
4
Training Schedule
8
New Storage Bin ColorCoding System
5
Medic Calendar
8
14 20 ! k n e We ditio S E EM cial e Sp
May 19, 2014
6
The Medic Dispatch Mecklenburg EMS Agency: News From The Front Line
EMS Week 2014 is Here! lives and time to providing excellent patient care to the lives of Mecklenburg County residents and visitors. As our way of saying thank you and celebrating how much you truly mean to this Agency, Medic employees and their immediate family members are invited to come out this week and enjoy the EMS Week 2014 festivities!
Without further ado, EMS Week 2014 is here! Day in and day out, our talented employees are there to guide people through some of life’s most intense and stressful situations. Every Medic employee is fully committed to doing their part to provide an excellent patient experience. EMS Week honors and brings forth national recognition to the many ways you devote your
Medic’s Ice Cream Social Event will feature an array of ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt flavors from Ben & Jerry’s. For employees attending the Medic Family Fun Day, please be aware that aware that parking will be restricted in certain areas near Building #2 (especially areas closest to the Bay). Attendees are asked to please park along the shrubbery outside the fence in front of Building #2. Please do not block the entrance to the fence. 1
Please be sure to visit the check in table prior to entering the food tent during the Family Fun Day event on Tuesday, May 20th and Thursday, May 22nd. This year’s Family Fun Day menu will feature a return to traditional cookout food items plus array healthy options. To ensure that all Medic employees receive a gift, this year’s employee EMS Week gift was pre-selected and pre-ordered. Every Medic employee may pick up their gift in the Bay Area of Building #2 during the Medic Family Fun Day on Tuesday, May 20th and Thursday, May 22nd. Please be sure to enter your raffle tickets (one per event not per person) for the official EMS Week 2014 Raffle Prize drawing that will be held next Tuesday, May 27th at 12:00 pm in the Bay Area of Post 100. A number of awesome prizes are up for grabs! Happy EMS Week!
MAD Golf Outing
Prizes, Prizes and More Prizes! Want the chance to win some really cool prizes? Keep reading and see how! Each employee will receive one raffle ticket per EMS event (not one raffle ticket per person). At the end of EMS week, you have the optionto submit your raffle tickets for the chance to win some really cool prizes like the ones seen in this article. So, attend all that EMS Week has to offer and be sure to hold on to your raffle tickets!
Raffle Ticket Prize Drawing Tuesday, May 27th at 12:00 pm
Bay Area of Post 100
The 12th annual MAD golf outing will take place this Friday, May 23rd. Join us as we tee off in support of a good cause. The cost is $60/per person. Who: Any and all friends of EMS When: Friday, May 23rd Shot Gun Start at 12:00 pm Where: Emerald Lake Golf Course 9750 Tournament Drive, Matthews, NC 28104
Limit one prize win per employee.
For more information, please contact Tom Porcelli at thomasp@medic911.com.
EMS Week 2014: Schedule Lineup The PR department has put together the following schedule to help Medic employees stay in the loop of all the planned activities for the EMS Week 2014 extravaganza. All EMS Week 2014 activities will take place in the Bay Areas of Building #1 and Building #2 of Post 100. The lineup has been set, the activities are in place… are you ready for EMS Week 2014?
Event
Day
Time
Kickoff Breakfast (AM Shift)
Monday, May 19th
3:30 am—8:30 am
Ice Cream Social
Monday, May 19th
2:30 pm—7:30 pm
Family Fun Day
Tuesday, May 20th 11:30 am—8:00 pm
EMS Week Gift Pickup
Tuesday, May 20th 11:30 am—8:00 pm
Kickoff Breakfast (AM Shift)
Wednesday, May 21st
3:30 am—8:30 am
Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, May 21st
2:30 pm—7:30 pm
Family Fun Day
Thursday, May 22nd
11:30 am—8:00 pm
EMS Week Gift Pickup
Thursday, May 22nd
11:30 am—8:00 pm
2
May In-Service Sessions (AHA Recertification) To offer employees more convenient AHA recertification courses, all employees who have any AHA certifications set to expire in 2014 will participate in recertification courses during May In-Service. To accomplish this, Medical Services has expanded the number of InService offerings during the month of May. Below are the 12 dates and times to choose from:
Monday, May 19th—1200 to
1600 Monday, May 19th—1800 to 2200 Tuesday, May 20th—1000 to 1400 Wednesday, May 21st—1200 to 1600 Wednesday, May 21st—1800 to
2200 Thursday, May 22nd—1800 to 2200
will then go through AHA recertification during November 2014 In-Service.
Registration limits have been created & will be strictly enforced to achieve optimal student to instructor ratio. To register for a May In-Service session, log on to the Agency’s Learning Management System at https:// medic911.plateau.com and select your preferred session date and time. Employees must come to their May In-Service session prepared to work and stay on task for the entire four hour duration.
It is our hope that this change will be more convenient to employees in maintaining their required AHA certifications. You may also view this information, in its entirety, by visiting the Extranet homepage and clicking on the May In-Service Sessions Just Released! headline under the Operations section.
Employees who do not expire until 2015 will receive a hands-on refresher in focused cardiac arrest and view M&M presentations. They
Contact Brian Shimberg at brians@medic911.com if you have any questions about May in-service and AHA recertification or Elisabeth Mitchell at elisabethm@medic911.com if you experience difficulty logging on or registering through the LMS.
9/11 Never Forget Memorial Display Event
June Scope of Practice
Concord Regional Airport. The event is FREE and the above date and time has been specially reserved for all public safety personnel and their families.
Medical Services has released the dates June Scope of Practice. Please review the information below and log on to the LMS at https:// medic911.plateau.com to register.
The 9/11 Never Forget mobile display is a traveling monument that honors those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks . A Fire Battalion Chief injured in the towers on 9/11 will be on scene during those times as a tour guide. The address for the complex is 4600 Rousch Place, Concord, NC.
Please contact a member of Medical Services if you have any questions.
All Medic employees and their families are exclusively invited to view the 9/11 Never Forget Display on Wednesday, May 21st from 5:00—7:00 pm at the Rousch Fenway Complex near the
The display will open to the general public (at a cost) on Thursday, May 22nd. 3
June Scope of Practice Dates
Monday, June 2nd Wednesday, June 4th Thursday, June 5th Thursday, June 12th
Dr. Swanson’s Monthly Memo Please review the following regarding normal saline IVF During the past couple of years there have been varying degrees of medication production shortages that we have been tracking closely and making appropriate adjustments to allow us to continue to provide for our patients Normal saline is currently on this list and therefore beginning immediately: Prior to infusing normal saline providers must consider if IVF are in fact required at the present time for your patient It may be more appropriate to simply initiate access with a prn adapter for medication administration / potential medication or fluid administration without immediately initiating IVF at a to keep open (TKO) rate Do NOT withhold normal saline fluid administration from any patient requiring IVF resuscitation
Please review the following regarding MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) Viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 The first U.S. case was recently confirmed in Indiana Most people who have the confirmed infection developed severe acute respiratory illness with fever, cough, and shortness of breath o ~ 30% of these people have died Thus far, all the cases have been linked to: Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain This virus has spread from ill people to others through close contact Healthcare providers should utilize standard PPE practices and maintain clinical suspicion in patients with influenza-like illness and appropriate potential travel contact
Please review the following regarding Personal Protective Equipment PPE and universal precautions are appropriate during any patient encounter Prior to entering the ambulance cab, hospital/emergency department, or similar however; PPE (gloves) should be removed, especially prior to touching surfaces such as: Ambulance doors, steering wheels, radios, Toughbook computer, etc. o Touchpads/strike plates for doorways, triage or nursing station countertops, hospital paperwork, treatment room doors/countertops, etc.
We do not want to transfer potential contaminants from patients to any of these surfaces or from patient to patient or other healthcare providers
Always utilize foam hand sanitizer or wash hands after each patient contact
Nitrous Oxide Safety Memo As a follow up to April’s Inservice, the Medical Services department would like to remind employees on the importance of nitrous oxide avoidance by employees who are or may be pregnant. If any member of your crew falls into one of these categories, nitrous therapy should not be administered at any time and other forms of analgesics utilized. Further, it is important to also assure that any nitrous tanks located
on the ambulance are sealed and not leaking. Those employees located on the logistical side of this process should also be aware of this concern. Anyone who, as required by their job description, must handle new or used nitrous tanks should take the appropriate measures to assure they are not accidently exposed to nitrous oxide if they are or may be pregnant. 4
Although nitrous oxide is an extremely safe and effective gas, Medic wants to assure that all of our employees remain safe around this product. Please be aware of these concerns and take appropriate measures to protect yourself and your colleagues. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of Medical Services at any time
New Storage Bin Color-Coding System Currently, all Medic ambulance storage bins are similar in appearance. Distinction between each storage bin and its contents are mainly identified by numbers that are written on each bin. The Logistics Department will introduce a new ambulance storage bin colorcoding system to help field employees identify the contents of each bin more quickly and efficiently within the coming weeks. The new ambulance color-coding system is as follows:
Mission Lifeline Awards
Red = Hemorrhage Control Green = ALS Orange = Airway Florescent Green = Pediatric
Details of the new ambulance storage bin color-coding system will be posted at the Logistics window for crews to view prior to implementation. Logistics, with the help of field crews, have also identified several high usage items on the ambulance that will be strategically moved to the shelves, allowing for better accessibility and use. Please contact Bryan Edwards at bryane@medic911.com if you have any questions about the new ambulance storage bin color-coding system.
Congratulations to Medic for their recent recognition by the American Heart Association as a 2014 Mission Lifeline EMS Silver Level Recognition Award winner. The Agency was represented at the awards ceremony by Quality Improvement Analyst Allison Infinger and Internal Communications Specialist Nikkie Perry at the Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Congratulations to our employees, area cardiologists and both hospital systems. Well deserved!
Job Well Done! Congratulations to Misty Swaringen and Ashley Smith! Below is an excerpt from a recent patient email submission celebrating their outstanding work: “Yesterday evening Misty & Ashley transported my father-in-law, David Ellsworth from Windwood Circle to CMC Pineville. Please let them know I appreciated the great care they provided to him. I also appreciated the education they provided to my in laws about things they need to do to continue
independent living. As the family, we can suggest and recommend but it helps to reinforce the message when they continue to hear the same message from professionals. He was transported due to back pain. But, he was admitted after test revealed several other issues. He is doing better this morning. Again, thanks for the time you spent educating them and the warm, friendly care that you provided.” - Bill M.
5
Again, congratulation Misty and Ashley for a job well done! Be on the lookout for more employee kudos in the Medic Dispatch as we celebrate the fantastic work you do each and every day!
Paramedic Cohort Application Extension The following information is being provided to employees who are interested in completing the application process (April 1st through May 31st) for CPCC’s Paramedic Cohort 2014—2015: Step 1: Print the application from our website www.cpcc.edu/emstraining. Fill it out completely and include copies of your EMT, Anatomy& Physiology (A&P) and CPR. If you are currently enrolled in an A&P course that will end after the application deadline, please document that on your application with completion dates. Step 2: Mail your application to:
Central Piedmont Community College, Attention: Mike Price P.O. Box 35009 Charlotte, NC 28235-5009 OR Call 704.330.2722 ext. 3289 and set up a time to drop off your application. Please be sure to bring the application to the Elizabeth Building on Central Campus. Office number 0115. Step 3: Once the application period has closed, all applications will be reviewed and we will contact you and set up your FISDAP exam. Please contact Program Coordinator Mike Price at mike.price@cpcc.edu if you have any questions.
Paramedic FTO/Preceptor Openings
The Agency has just announced openings for Paramedic Field Training Officers (FTO) and Preceptors. Please be sure to view the entire list of requirements for the new FTO/ Preceptor job opening on the designated bulletin boards throughout the Agency as well as outside the HR department office. There is a 10% across the board pay increase for this position. While there is currently no pay grade to accommodate this increase, the
FTO will clock in as an FTO each time they work. Due to the expanded duties of the new FTOs, individuals CANNOT hold both a position of FTO and Relief Operations Supervisors (ROS). Human Resources will reopen the application process without further FISDAP testing. The application deadline is Thursday, June 5th by 5:00 pm. To apply, employees must submit a letter of interest to Brittany Scott at brittanys@medic911.com (even if previously applied). Contact Clinical Education Manager Melissa Garifo at melissag@medic911.com for questions. 6
Appreciation Luncheon
Medic employees are invited to attend the Gateway Village community’s First Responder Luncheon! The luncheon will take place on Wednesday, May 28th from 11:30 am—1:00 pm in the 900 Building on the 5th Street near the loading dock. Hamburgers, hot dogs and fixings will be served for CMPD, CFD and Medic.
Construction Project Starting Sunday, June 1st, Carolina's Rehab in Mt Holly will undergo a construction project around their facility. As a direct result, Medic crews will no longer be able to access the ambulance bay at the back of the building. All patients will need to be dropped off at the front entrance of Carolina’s Rehab. The facility will have signage to assist Medic crews through the appropriate detours. The project is scheduled to be completed in three months (weather permitting). Please contact Nurse Manager Beverley Queen at 704.882.2550 if you have any questions about the Carolina’s Rehab facility construction project.
May Corporate Compliance Sessions
Required Attendance Jose Aguilar-Castillo, Samantha Baber, Dan Baltimore, Lukas Biebinger, Amy Broughton, Ty Brown, David Brown, Joseph Connors, Robert Dowbiggin, Bob Francis, Tim Gable, Melissa Garifo, Dena Gaston, John Gibson, Mike Gilmore, Jeff Glenn, Jose Gonzalez, Daniel Hagemeyer, Bryan Hancock, Jason Harbert, Charles Horne, Audrey Hunt, David Kennerly, Ray Kirby, Rebecca Kozinski, Jeff Lineberger, Tim Marshburn, Randy McKown, Chris Milby, Shelly Miller, Todd Moore, Ken Nicoletti, Arthur Nolan,
Tim O’Connell, Don Overcash, Christy Parker, Tony Pattillo, David Phillips, Alex Raymer, Beth Rimmer, Zachary Rogers, Johnny Sampson, Don Shue, Deanna Vandeventer, Charles Voglewede, Veronica Westover, CJ Wright & Tom Wright. Please note: If your Annual Performance Review was in April and you did not attend an April class, you must contact Amy Johnson and attend a May class. Information Updates:
Please register for your Corporate Compliance Training 7
session through the LMS
The duration of the Medic Safety & Compliance Training sessions is 4 hours.
Attendees will be paid for the total time spent in class and each employee with an Annual Performance Review in that month must attend one of the available Compliance Training Sessions.
Compliance sessions are held next to the Medic Fitness Center, please contact Amy Johnson if you need directions or have any questions about the May Corporate Compliance sessions at amyj@medic911.com.
May 2014 Sun
Mon
Tue
4A
5B
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1A
2B
1B
2A
3A
6B
7A
8A
9B
10 B
15 B
16 A
17 A
Corporate Compliance 0800—1200
11 B
12 A
13 A
14 B
Medic In-Service
Corporate Compliance
1200—1600
0800—1200
1800—2200
Medic Inservice
Medic In-Service 1200—1600
Medic In-Service 0800—1200 1300—1700
Corporate Compliance 1600—2000
1000—1400
18 A
19 B
20 B
EMS Week 2014
21 A
Medic In-Service
EMS Week 2014
EMS Week 2014
1200—1600
Medic In-Service
Medic In-Service
1800—2200
1000—1400
1200—1600
25 B
22 A
23 B
EMS Week 2014
EMS Week 2014
Medic In-Service 1800—2200
Corporate Compliance 1300—1700
1800—2200
26 A
27 A
Memorial Day Holiday
Corporate Compliance
Administrative Offices Closed
1300—1700
28 B
29 B
30 A
2014 Training Schedule
In-Service Training Medic Events Holidays Recertification Testing
MEDIC Mecklenburg EMS Agency 4525 Statesville Road Charlotte, NC 28269 Tel: 704-943-6000 Fax: 704-943-6001 kristiny@medic911.com
Visit Us on the Web! www.medic911.com
24 B
May InService Dates & Times:
Monday, May 19th—1200 to 1600 Monday, May 19th—1800 to 2200 Tuesday, May 20th—1000 to 1400 Wednesday, May 21st—1200 to 1600 Wednesday, May 21st—1800 to 2200 Thursday, May 22nd—1800 to 2200
May Corporate Compliance Dates & Times: Friday, May 23rd 1300—1700 Tuesday, May 27th 1300—1700
31 A