Today was my first day at the American Ambulance Association Conference and Tradeshow in Las Vegas. Travelling to the Pacific time zone is always a challenge because of the two hour time change. Of course I was wide awake at 0400 local time.

Running the Strip

As I like to do during any Las Vegas visit I arose early to take a run on the Las Vegas strip as the sun was rising. The strip seems to be most quiet on a Monday or Tuesday morning. I saw some other runners and a few revelers that had obviously been going strong through the night. My route took me from the Las Vegas Hilton to the MGM and back.

This was my first run since the New York City marathon. I still have some heaviness in my legs so I tried to keep an easy pace, took the escalators on the pedestrian bridge and took a couple of walking breaks. The temperature was a comfortable 50F. All in all a good first day back in my sneakers. I might do another run tomorrow morning.

Morning Session

I attended a session this morning about best practices in EMS. The speaker really emphasized the importance of employee well being to a successful organization. Some of the key observations he makes when visiting EMS agencies is that successful EMS agencies:

• Spend more on high quality uniforms
• Embrace and understand generational differences
• Create intentional contact between management and field personnel including station layouts so staff at all levels needs to be near each other during the work day
• Performance based shift bid weighting
• Offer employee life skills education in areas like personal financial health and career coaching
• Have an end of shift late call strategy

He mentioned an area that a lot of organizations are struggling is how to communicate with employees. Email is a struggle and many organization aren’t sure how to utilize social networking

Keynote Speaker

The other morning session was a keynote presentation by Erin Brockovich (the real Erin that was portrayed by Julia Roberts). Erin’s message was about the importance of believing in yourself and anything being possible.

Erin has made some amazing life accomplishments despite some enormous obstacles. I wish I had seen the movie recently so I remembered more. Afterwards at a book signing I was able to chat with her briefly and she inscribed a book that I am giving as a gift in a way that it is very meaningful. I really appreciate her time and personal connection. Thanks!

Afternoon Sessions

In the afternoon I attended a session about the process of crafting NFPA 1971 – the standard for Ambulance design. It was much more about the process of developing the standard which won’t be implemented (if approved) until January 2013. I was expecting more on how organizations should be preparing to implement the standard.

It occurred to me that someday we will decide that no one ever needs to be unrestrained in a moving ambulance. Once we get to that point a lot of the silliness about ambulance design will be able to go away. As long as we continue to accept this notion that there are times that a paramedic needs to be unrestrained we will continue to put people at unneeded risk and build odd features to accommodate movement.

American Ambulance Association App

I also downloaded the AAA app from the Android market. I have already roughed out a review that I will post soon.

Tradeshow

About to start. If you are here come see me at booth 309.

Erin Brockovich Books

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Paramedic Steve Cole has written a comprehensive post on how the recent FDA Drug Safety Communication for Zofran may impact EMS. You can find Steve’s guest blog post at blog.centrelearn.com. Thanks Steve.

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No. According to this article, “Reducing Minor Injuries Does Not Translate to Reduction in Serious Injuries and Fatalities.”

This short summary blew up one of my long held risk management beliefs that building a culture of safety that strives to prevent all injuries and a system of near miss reporting that identifies near misses that either had no injury or only minor injury will help prevent major injury.

So what can you do:
1. Read the article and the White Paper.

2. Recognize that injury prevention is multifaceted and there is no one size fits all solution because there is not a single problem.

3. Report, track, and analyze all workplace injuries. During the analysis look for the root causes of injuries.

4. Learn about Crew Resource Management. I have heard several presentations recently by the author’s of Crew Resource Management: Principles and Practices (Amazon Affiliate Link).

5. Don’t accept that workplace injuries are inevitable. It is possible to achieve zero injuries on the next call, next shift, next day, next week. If you believe injury is inevitable why not pick the people to get hurt and hurt them. Easier than waiting for random chance.

6. Read and study about injury and fatalities in the EMS workplace. Safety is the hot topic at every EMS conference I attend and not in the old time lip service of “scene safe, BSI.” There is a legitimate and growing concern for safety, reducing injury occurrences, and learning from major incidents. Need an MS thesis or PhD dissertation topic? Do something safety related. EMS needs it.

What are your thoughts on the article? Do you see the growing concern for safety that I am seeing? Is there a culture shift happening in EMS? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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I am leaving for EMS World Expo in Las Vegas in less than two weeks. The event is approaching fast. I have been to EMS World Expo (formerly EMS Expo) in Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando, and Las Vegas. These travel tips have served me well over the years.

1. Before you leave install the TripIt smartphone app to organize all of your travel reservations.

2. Limit your luggage to a carry-on roller bag to avoid a checked bag fee (or fly Southwest where bags fly free). If you need to check a bag make sure to have some essential items in your carry-on (wallet, medications, phone charger, and phone)

3. Consider a cab from the airport to the strip. Hotels are close to the airport and cab fare is pretty reasonable, maybe double what you pay for a shared ride shuttle. The shuttles leave frequently but make lots of stops.

4. Remember these important travel items – sunscreen, comfortable shoes for strolling on the strip or cruising the showroom floor, and an extra phone battery.

5. Deter thieves by using the in-room safe for your laptop, jewelry and other valuables. Leave your belongings in your room well-organized and cleanly. You can also decline housekeeping to keep your room from being accessed and left open during cleaning. Don’t leave bags or belongings unattended in the exhibit hall or classrooms.

6. Stay AWAKE and ORIENTED when you are out having fun for two reasons – first most of us spend enough time caring for patients that have too much to drink, we don’t need to do it while away from home and second you want to be in control of your destiny.

7. There is FUN and SAFETY in numbers. Start connecting with other EMS World Expo attendees on social networks to plan social activities and events. Hone your leadership skills and organize an activity or meet-up.

8. Exercise your mind and your body. Get up early and go for a run or walk on the strip. Use your hotel’s work-out room and pool. I love running on the strip as the sun is rising.

9. Stay nourished and hydrated. I always bring a water bottle and snacks to keep me going during longs days at the conference and to avoid spending $8 on a bottle of water and a bag of chips.

10. Prepare your “who I am/what I do” speech, but more importantly think of the questions you want to ask the people you will meet from other EMS agencies.

BONUS Tip: the most important item you can bring to EMS World Expo is an open mind. Ready yourself to learn about new and different patient assessment, care, and transport techniques. Prepare to learn something in every session you attend, from every vendor you speak to, and from every conversation you have with other EMS professionals.

Have you been to EMS World Expo? Share your top tips in the comments area.

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Since last Friday two Wisconsin cyclists have been killed by distracted drivers. Since July 1 of this year, six Wisconsin bicycle riders have been killed – one every 6 days.

If you drive a vehicle or read a bike PLEASE READ this collection of Safer Road tips from the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and the AAA Motoring Club.

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When you are outside the ambulance on the roadway all vehicles are PARAMEDIC SEEKING MISSILES!

Lights, vests, chevrons, cones, signs, and flag wavers are merely interesting to the intoxicated and or intexicated driver.

Good conversation from EMS1.com about roadside safety.

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In this Conversations in EMS video Glenn Luedtke discusses the origins of the new NAEMT Safety Course with Justin Schorr. The NAEMT Safety course is now available and is being taught at conferences and services around the country. I worked with the course development committee on the course materials and am impressed with the curriculum assembled for this new course. Watch the video and then visit NAEMT Safety Course for information on how to take the course or become an instructor.

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This article from EMS1.com recaps a session at EMS Today about Roadside Safety for emergency responders.

My top roadside safety tip is to consider every moving vehicle to be a paramedic seeking missile.

With that mindset you will:

1. Minimize time spent exposed on a roadway.

2. Always be defensive in parking locations and travel paths.

3. Look for and identify moving vehicles.

What do you do to defend against paramedic seeking missiles?

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This video demonstrates how to escape when an assailant grabs your arm. The NAEMT Safety Course teaches that since more than 50% of EMS professionals report being assaulted in some form on the job that we are obviously entering and working in unsafe scenes. Learning simple escape techniques is an important safety practice for EMS professionals.

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Everyday Heroes is the theme for EMS Week 2011. Have you started brainstorming ideas of how to work the theme into your EMS Week Plans.

Here are a few of my ideas:

1. Unmask a hero. Write profiles about your agency’s EMS personnel for your Facebook page.

2. Nominate a hero. Ask each hospital you transport patients to nominate heroes among your staff.

3. Hero competition. Organize and host an EMS competition. Invite members from throughout your service area.

4. Hero lunch. Deliver subs to personnel at each station or posting location.

5. Safety hero. Recognize staff for knowing and following safety procedures

Finally, sit down with staff and discuss the word hero. What does the word me to individuals? What of our work, if any, is heroic? Do heroes need to go above and beyond to be heroic? Is the label “hero” over used?

What are your ideas for the 2011 EMS Week theme of Everyday Heroes?

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