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Workshop
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in a new window Administration Paramedic Recruitment and Retention: New Ideas
for Securing ALS Resources When faced with dangerous paramedic shortages,
non-conventional methods may assure sufficient paramedics are
available to respond to the needs of citizens. Participants will
hear the details of various struggles to recruit and retain ALS
providers. Additionally, information on long-term strategic planning
will be presented. Learn from fire and EMS departments that have
developed and implemented approaches to recruiting that will have
long-term benefits. The workshop presents the outcome of fire
suppression and EMS training in a vocational environment to select
high school students. These students earn college credit and offer
long-term recruitment and retention potential. National EMS Workforce Study: Is There A
Paramedic Shortage? Assuring the continued viability of pre-hospital EMS
is a key concern for many local, state and federal EMS agencies, as
well as national EMS organizations. The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in partnership with the Health
Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Emergency Medical
Services for Children (EMSC) program, entered into an agreement with
the Center for Health Professions and School of Nursing at the
University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). Under the
agreement, EMS Workforce for the 21st Century, UCSF conducted a
systematic assessment of the national EMS pre-hospital workforce,
including interviews, surveys, key stakeholder meetings and a
rigorous assessment of existing data and research. The outcome of
the study addresses a diverse array of issues — such as the size and
demographics of the EMS workforce, training and education pathways,
supply and demand trends and compensation. Call Processing: How Long Should It Take? Industry consensus standards related to call
processing exist, yet are not uniformly implemented. This session
dissects the time elements throughout the call-taking continuum and
discusses both limitations and benefits of a standardized approach. Fire-Based EMS: Developing An All ALS Response
System Many departments want to take over EMS transport or
expand ALS response operations, yet don’t know where to begin. In
this workshop, participants will learn grass roots planning and
system building pointers from those who have been there.
Step-by-step direction provided from successful ventures and lessons
learned from failed plans will provide vital information on EMS
system options and how to achieve them. Ambulance Diversion: Assessing and Adapting Emergency department volumes continuously increase
across the United States, while the number of hospitals and
emergency departments decreases. Ambulance diversion is a symptom of
emergency department overcrowding and is a growing dilemma. Using
data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, this
session will discuss diversion trends, reasons for diversion and
characteristics of patients affected by diversion. Additionally,
speakers will profile solutions to adapting to diversion within an
emergency response system. Revenue Recovery: Billing and Collecting Participants will learn the nuances of the Medicare
Modernization Act, the ambulance fee schedule and the ever-changing
rules for medical necessity for transports. Additionally, the new
medical condition codes will be explained and the status for full
implementation reviewed. Many fire departments that transport can
improve their bottom line significantly with a well-organized and
finely tuned billing operation. This presentation will provide
practical information from start to finish for billing and
collecting, including what must be done immediately following the
call, what wording is needed for an effective billing claim and what
is considered a “reasonable” billing effort. Operations Fire-Based EMS Showcase: Houston Fire Department The Houston Fire Department is one of the leading
models of fire-based EMS systems in the United States.
Each year, there are more than 200,000
EMS incidents involving more than 225,000 patients or potential
patients in the City of Houston. On the average, the Houston Fire
Department responds to a citizen every three minutes. Each EMS
response is made by one of 88 City of Houston EMS vehicles.
Thirty-seven of these are staffed by two paramedics and provide
Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities. These consist of 15 ALS
Squads and 22 ALS transport units with eight functioning in a dual
capacity as both ALS or BLS. The remaining 51 transport units are
Basic Life Support (BLS), and are staffed by two EMTs. This
workshop reveals the intricacies of the system design, including
training, staffing, deployment, patient care protocols and more. Fire 20/20Project: Responding to Diverse
Cultures/Understanding Leads to Safety Emergency responders may be called to assist anyone
at anytime. Responders encounter varied cultures, some of which they
are ill prepared to handle. Based on recent research funded by the
Assistance to Firefighters Grants, this workshop reveals fascinating
cultural information that will arm responders with vital knowledge
about many cultural and ethnic groups. Hazmat: Medical Strike Teams Special Operations are emergency incidents to which
fire departments respond that require advanced training and
specialized tools and equipment. Each fire department must formally
define the types of special operations that it will perform and
ensure that it is appropriately equipped to respond. All members
involved must be trained to the levels specified in industry
standards, and fire departments must have the proper level of staff
and equipment for the special operation response. This workshop
profiles the Houston Fire Department’s Medical Strike Team roles and
responsibilities when responding to hazardous materials incidents. Quality/ Data Chief Complaint Data Study Analysis of medical priority dispatch systems data
from computerized call centers reveals invaluable facts about the
occurrence of patient signs and symptoms, caller-type distribution
and sub-incident frequencies. This session will discuss fascinating
facts that are emerging -- both validating and refuting many
anecdotal assumptions about the expanding group of chief complaints.
NEMSIS Project: EMS Performance Improvement
Resources EMS systems vary in their ability to collect patient
and systems data and to put these data to use. In the recent past,
the National Association of State EMS Directors, working with its
federal partners at the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and the Trauma/EMS Systems program of the
Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Maternal Child
Health Bureau, developed a national EMS database. This database will
be useful in developing nationwide EMS training curricula,
evaluating patient and EMS system outcomes, facilitating research
efforts, determining national fee schedules and reimbursement rates,
addressing resources for disaster and domestic preparedness, and
providing valuable information on other issues or areas of need
related to EMS care. This session will update participants on the
progress and the hope for implementation of a national data
collection system. Additionally, participants will learn about
efforts in North Carolina to establish an EMS Performance
Improvement (PI) Center. EMS Performance Improvement is the process
of applying knowledge, data and experience to evaluate and improve
EMS service delivery, personnel performance and clinical care. Data to Deployment: Changing System Requirements
for Deployment Population growth can adversely affect
well-established emergency response systems as EMS call volume
escalates. This workshop presents changes implemented by a large
county fire department to expand system resources in response to
population growth with little cost implication for local government. Data to Deployment: 1+1 ALS Staffing For more than nine years, the IAFF has been involved
in EMS system performance measurement. From supporting and
promoting, to the grassroots identification of performance
indicators and development of associated metrics, participants will
hear the results of one department’s effort at implementing
performance measures for collecting data and reporting the value of
their fire-based EMS system in the community and how these data were
used to alter the system staffing design for more efficient and
effective use of ALS resources. Clinical Carbon Monoxide Part I: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon Monoxide is the most frequent cause of poisonings in industrialized countries. It is the leading cause of poisoning deaths, with as many as 50,000 emergency room visits and 6,000 deaths in the United States each year. Fire fighters and paramedics must be on the frontline in knowing the signs and symptoms and the risks to themselves from carbon monoxide. This workshop presents clinical information on carbon monoxide poisoning and treatment protocols. Continuing education credit is available for this session. Carbon Monoxide Part II: Carbon Monoxide and
Other Gases Cyanide is more often encountered in fires than once thought. The effects of carbon monoxide and cyanide are cumulative, and symptoms of cyanide toxicity are often attributed to carbon monoxide because of lack of a high index of suspicion. This workshop profiles carbon monoxide and other gases encountered in the emergency response field providing pathophysiology and treatment protocols. Continuing education credit is available for this session. Carbon Monoxide Part III: Non-Invasive
Respiratory Gas Monitoring Carbon Monoxide detectors have been widely available for a decade, yet are still vastly underused. Handheld devices are available to assess atmospheric levels of carbon monoxide and other gases. This workshop profiles carbon monoxide detection, including biological detection called CO-oximetry. Continuing education credit is available for this session. Club Drugs: Recognition and Response Dr. Steven Katz, National Paramedic Institute A wave of new drugs called “club drugs” has become increasingly popular with today’s adolescents and young adults. More than 6.5 million people in the United States report using these club drugs, including MDMA or ecstasy, Rohypnol, GHB and ketamine. This has meant a significant increase in emergency room visits related to these drugs, which has made it increasingly important to educate emergency responders to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug use, as well as appropriate emergency care. This workshop profiles signs and symptoms, as well as treatment protocols, associated with club drugs. Continuing education credit is available for this session. Real Time: Real Data: Houston Fire Department EMS
Research High-quality medical care is not defined solely in terms of life-saving interventions for critically-ill or injured patients. High-quality emergency medical care is defined by the decisions made on each and every patient encounter. The highly educated EMS personnel of the Houston Fire Department pursue excellence in their profession by combining the benefits of medical science with the art of compassionate care. Houston's EMS system is recognized worldwide as a leader in injury care. Scientific studies reveal that the innovative techniques and treatment strategies used by Houston EMS personnel have provided Houstonians with an unrivaled survival rate for those with severe traumatic injuries. Today, most of the clinical data regarding cardiac and trauma resuscitation come from the Houston EMS system. In the last decade, Houston EMS has presented more than 100 scientific papers at national and international meetings. Every paramedic and EMS physician in the city carries a portable 12-lead electrocardiograph. With this new technology, heart attack victims are more quickly diagnosed and treated. Houston is one of the first systems in the nation to have this technology available on its medic units. This workshop will profile the research performed and the advances made by the Houston Fire Department. 12-Lead EKG: Reducing Door to Balloon Time As science reveals new and better ways to
resuscitate victims of cardiac emergencies, traditional methods are
being challenged. The American College of Cardiology has established
seven goals for reducing “door-to-balloon” time for heart attack
victims. These seven goals have been identified as the most
influential in reducing time-to-treatment for critical cardiac
patients. Six of the goals are all within the hospital venue. The
seventh goal is the delivery of a 12-Lead EKG in the pre-hospital
field. The IAFF advocates the use of 12-Lead EKGs in the
pre-hospital environment. The use of 12-Lead EKGs is necessary on
ALS response and transport vehicles to further reduce
time-to-treatment (door-to-balloon time) for heart attack victims.
This workshop will provide insight that may change the way fire
departments respond and treat patients in the future. EMS Safety EMS Response to Flu Pandemic In 1918, the
Spanish flu
pandemic hit the world and became one of the worst
pandemics in history. It is estimated that approximately 20 to 40
percent of the worldwide population became ill and that more than 50
million people died. During a period of the pandemic, influenza
killed more people in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years.
Disasters such as this are dealt with locally, so each fire and
emergency medical department must collaborate with local government
officials, the public health department and community stakeholders
to devise a plan of action. Your fire department and your community
must begin to discuss the potential effects of pandemic on your
response system. This workshop will guide you in considering the
effects a pandemic would have your response system. The Intersection: EMS and Public Health Using the known ability of fire fighters to engage
in preventing fire, participants will learn how to engage in injury
prevention programs that can change the face of injury and death in
their communities. Participants will also discover opportunities to
deliver other non-traditional services in the community. Citizen Databases: Pre-Response Medical History Emergilink is a vital link between responders and
the patients it serves. EmergiLink is about putting life-saving
medical information in the hands of Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
providers by equipping them with an “Informed Response,” complete
with critical updated medical information necessary to make the
wisest and most expeditious patient care decisions. Through secure
online membership programs, EMS providers will harness the most
valuable tool in saving lives: information. EmergiLink has created
an online subscription format that adds critical data fields, such
as: Medications, Allergies to Medications, Medical Conditions,
Emergency Contact Info, Recent Hospitalizations, Medical Implant
Devices, Primary Physician and Medical Insurance Details, Medical
Release Form for Children/Minors and Photo Upload for Children with
Direct Links to Law Enforcement and Amber Alert. Subscribers are
given a user name and password, make a payment, complete the medical
history forms, provide insurance information and add additional
co-members. Then all of the information is combined for them to
confirm, edit and save. Ambulance Safety Study: Crash Analysis Since 1990, at least 21 career fire fighters have
been killed in vehicle crashes while responding to emergencies or
returning from them. Vehicle crashes are the third most common cause
of death among fire fighters. The response to a medical emergency,
whether in an ambulance or a heavier piece of fire apparatus, is one
of the most high-risk parts of a fire fighter’s job – and it’s
performed over and over on a daily basis. Traffic congestion,
civilian driver inattention, cell phones and soundproofing of
automobiles all contribute to the difficulty of the task. The IAFF,
in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration, has
developed an educational program related to vehicle operations that
is specifically targeted to career fire fighters. This program will
discuss the dangers of emergency vehicle operation, as well as
common sense strategies to reduce risks. Political/ Legal Institute of Medicine: Report on Pre-hospital
EMS The Institute
of Medicine (IOM) report released June 14, 2006, regarding Emergency
Medical Services confirms the need to for strong EMS systems in
local communities. The IAFF concurs with that statement as its
members provide EMS at some level to the majority of the citizens in
the United States. The IAFF also agrees with the IOM report that
data collection and EMS system performance measures must become
standardized. Quality data and appropriate performance metrics are
essential to system assessment and continued improvement of EMS
system operations. The IAFF also agrees with the IOM report that the
EMS system is the safety net for uncompensated care in this country.
This workshop will provide insight into the overall IOM report on
pre-hospital EMS, including strong points and shortfalls from a
fire-based EMS perspective. Fire Department Accreditation: Developing a
Standard of Cover The purpose of accreditation is to provide a
framework for transforming fire departments from tactical to
strategic entities. Using a self-assessment process, an agency
develops a five-year strategic plan, along with identifying and
quantifying the response coverage that it will provide for emergency
response, also known as “Standards of Coverage. Every agency should
ensure that it is efficient, effective and safe for all hazards and
all types of responses. Fire-Based EMS in Canada The face of EMS in Canada is in a state of flux.
Changes are being wrought by politics, negotiation, public demand
and the labor movement. What is the most efficient and effective EMS
system design in Canada? Does it differ between provinces? Where
should fire departments engage in charting the future? Participants
will hear from one of the few cross-trained dual role fire-based EMS
systems in Canada. Organizing Private Sector EMS Many private ambulance employees are seeking labor
representation. Since there are few unions with adequate knowledge
and resources to represent EMS employees, some are coming to the
IAFF for representation. This workshop will address the process of
organizing and affiliating private sector ambulance employees with
the IAFF, including the prohibitions set forth in the IAFF
Constitution and Bylaws. HIPAA and Employee Rights Exactly what patient information can be shared with
law enforcement and under what circumstances? What are the privacy
concerns when it comes to giving patient information over the radio?
What can we say to the media about an EMS incident without running
afoul of these privacy regulations? These are only a few of the
tough issues that EMS agencies are facing now that the HIPAA privacy
rule has gone into effect. This session will explain the details to
keep you in compliance and explain the difference in HIPAA
regulations and confidential employee medical information. Political Threats to EMS It is inevitable that politics will play a role in all local EMS systems. The key to any successful political campaign is building winning coalitions. No candidate for office or referendum issue can succeed without a well-structured campaign that appeals to a broad and diverse base of voters. The key to success is developing alliances with other organizations, individuals and interest groups to advance your agenda and generate grassroots support. This workshop explores the dynamics of identifying potential allies and adversaries and building effective coalitions to confront threats to fire-based EMS systems.
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