Emergency Medicine

Valentine For a Co-Worker

Bill Degnan — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 17:19:40 +0000

Valentine For a Co-Worker

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 11:19

Highway Incident Tips - Everyone Goes Home

Bill Degnan — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 17:11:04 +0000

Highway Incident Tips - Everyone Goes Home

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Wed, 02/12/2020 - 11:11

TIM First Responder Training. Source:FDoT

"What is the objective of this ride-out?", the Deputy Sheriff asked me.

"At the end of the shift... you and I are going home."

Move Over Laws Aren't Enough To Keep Responders Safe At The Roadside

Bill Degnan — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 23:01:58 +0000

Move Over Laws Aren't Enough To Keep Responders Safe At The Roadside

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Fri, 02/07/2020 - 17:01

Sure, it's the law that you have to move over (and/or slow down) when emergency vehicles are stopped at the roadside. But lives are still being lost while we're trying to save others.

There ought to be a law. And there are. Plenty of them. But why is that not enough?

TV Character Suspended By Real-Life Austin-Travis County (TX) EMS Medical Director

Bill Degnan — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:15:33 +0000

TV Character Suspended By Real-Life Austin-Travis County (TX) EMS Medical Director

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 19:15

The sea Captain bites his tongue until it bleeds, when juniors are learning to handle the ship. And, I imagine there has been some serious commentary about fictional patient care on the TV show 9-1-1 Lone Star, over at the Office of Medical Director for Austin-Travis County EMS.

If you don't know, the Medical Director is a very important part of the delegated practice of Emergency Medicine in the field. As in many EMS systems, providers must be familiar with and proficient with their scope of practice under clinical operating guidelines established by the OMD.

We Have Stories, Locked Inside

Bill Degnan — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 19:12:56 +0000

We Have Stories, Locked Inside

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Sat, 02/01/2020 - 13:12

When I arrived on scene, I helped package the last patient who would be going by ambulance.

I would tell you the details, right now. Except that somebody's father might read them.

I talked with one such father, in particular, and it was not my place at the time, to tell him what I knew. In a mile's travel, he would know. He would probably insist that he see, as I had seen.

There was someone else on scene, who caring and competent men had determined had no need for the services of an ambulance.

Ft. Worth FD To Teach Suicide Prevention Skills To All Members

Bill Degnan — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 15:18:02 +0000

Ft. Worth FD To Teach Suicide Prevention Skills To All Members

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Fri, 01/31/2020 - 09:18

“We see this as an ongoing issue. It’s related to a lot of different factors – everything from the amount of runs and the types of situations that our folks encounter to fatigue and fatigue management,” Davis said. “External pressures that they have in their own lives. Folks that bring live experiences to us that might be stressful.” The issue affects all levels of firefighters from rookies to veterans. There will also be a focus on retirees and those preparing to retire – helping them plan a life away from firefighting.

Ambulance Drivers and Cell Phones

Jonathon Walker — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 22:19:11 +0000

Ambulance Drivers and Cell Phones

Submitted by Jonathon Walker on Wed, 01/29/2020 - 16:19

A number of states and local jurisdictions have restricted the use of hand-held devices, while driving. And, while exceptions for operators of emergency vehicles may be incorporated, Ambulance crews are still being recruited from the human race and can still be distracted while driving.

OPINION: DC 9-1-1 - This ain't gonna' be your day.

Bill Degnan — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 12:27:57 +0000

OPINION: DC 9-1-1 - This ain't gonna' be your day.

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Sat, 01/25/2020 - 06:27

DC's 9-1-1 center is part of the Office Unified Communications (OUC). But, I sit here thinking how it should be reacronymed to OUCH. Residents, visitors and people who work in our nation's Capitol call them on the worst days of their lives.

To understand the story, you have to read Dave Statter's article (linked below) and watch the videos that are referenced there. He's been doing the heavy lifting on this story for some time now. And, he proposes a comprehensive external audit to help find the way forward.

Whatever you are doing today is a better day than this day. But goodness can be found.

Bill Degnan — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:49:54 +0000

Whatever you are doing today is a better day than this day. But goodness can be found.

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Wed, 01/22/2020 - 11:49

Each victim is assessed, triaged -- categorized. Who is beyond help? Who needs immediate Care? Who can wait? Who just needs a ride? Finding body after body after body.

What Can EMS Learn From The Aviation Community - Expectation Bias

Bill Degnan — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 19:04:24 +0000

What Can EMS Learn From The Aviation Community - Expectation Bias

Submitted by Bill Degnan on Sun, 01/19/2020 - 13:04

Here's a story where AIr Traffic Control (ATC) cleared a pilot to a safe altitude. The pilot read back an incorrect (potentially unsafe) altitude -- and, ATC failed to notice. It turned out ok.

What can EMS learn?

https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/safety/atc-misses-incorrect-pilot-readback-ifr-jet-in-mountains/ ↗️

You can readily see some parallels. Multitasking, high stress, life and death, vital communications...

Emergency Medicine

Valentine For a Co-Worker

Valentine For a Co-Worker

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Highway Incident Tips - Everyone Goes Home

Highway Incident Tips - Everyone Goes Home

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Move Over Laws Aren't Enough To Keep Responders Safe At The Roadside

Move Over Laws Aren't Enough To Keep Responders Safe At The Roadside

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TV Character Suspended By Real-Life Austin-Travis County (TX) EMS Medical Director

TV Character Suspended By Real-Life Austin-Travis County (TX) EMS Medical Director

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We Have Stories, Locked Inside

We Have Stories, Locked Inside

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Ft. Worth FD To Teach Suicide Prevention Skills To All Members

Ft. Worth FD To Teach Suicide Prevention Skills To All Members

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Ambulance Drivers and Cell Phones

Ambulance Drivers and Cell Phones

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OPINION: DC 9-1-1 - This ain't gonna' be your day.

OPINION: DC 9-1-1 - This ain't gonna' be your day.

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Whatever you are doing today is a better day than this day. But goodness can be found.

Whatever you are doing today is a better day than this day. But goodness can be found.

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What Can EMS Learn From The Aviation Community - Expectation Bias

What Can EMS Learn From The Aviation Community - Expectation Bias

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