FEATURED IN ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP
- Volunteer EMS Staff Protects More Than 2,000 People in Colo.
- Using and Understanding EMS Buzzwords
- Effective Communication is a Key Tool for EMS Managers
- ‘Scene Safe’ Mantra Provides EMS Danger
- Using “CPIs” to Help Prevent Legal Troubles
- Pro Bono: Are You Always On Call?
- How the Affordable Care Act Will Change EMS
This special supplement, sponsored by Physio-Control Inc. and JEMS, profiles 10 EMS innovators who were selected by an expert panel from dozens of nominees. Each finalist was selected based on their successful implementation of at least one key EMS innovation in 2009, and was nominated by an individual or organization that recognized their hard work, dedication and unselfish efforts to make a difference in the delivery of EMS or the lives of those delivering or receiving it.
This year’s “EMS 10” and the five honorable mention nominees aren’t the industry’s only innovators. Hundreds more made major contributions this past year. But the peers of these winners felt their contributions made a difference in EMS and nominated them for developing creative programs, concepts or procedures that improved EMS in 2009.
We recognize them because their efforts can drive the EMS profession forward and motivate others to apply the same ideas in their communities and think about ways in which they, too, can be innovative in creating solutions.
Dr. Mickey Eisenberg wrote a book on resuscitation that provides 25 steps for EMS systems to improve cardiac arrest survival in their communities.
Dia Gainor led the draft and approval process for a national position paper that will help EMS systems develop, improve and expand for years to come.
Eric Longino developed an apprenticeship program that employs non-certified workers in support positions while funding their EMS education and training.
T. Ryan Mayfield created a program that enables EMS providers to initiate a “Sepsis Alert” for a patient who exhibits symptoms of sepsis and/or septic shock.
Geoffrey Miller spearheaded development of a centralized national repository of data related to occupational illnesses, injuries or deaths of U.S. EMS providers.
Dr. Paul Pepe led the team that introduced estrogen’s potential role in care of patients suffering from cardiac arrest, post-traumatic shock, severe head injury, myocardial infarction, stroke and massive burns.
John Pringle led implementation of a data program that allows hospitals and EMS units to share patient data in real time, allowing EMS to easily obtain a patient’s discharge diagnosis to evaluate and improve their system.
Terence Ramotar led the research, design and implementation of a “green initiative” that created solar panels to keep equipment batteries charged and reduce the electrical load of ambulances.
Dr. Robert Boyd Tober developed a tiered medical response system that helped his county achieve an ROSC of 49% for VF/VT cardiac arrests and 31% for all cardiac arrests.
Matt Zavadsky created community care plans for his systems’ top users, reducing critical overloading of EMS system transportation resources and offering them alternative treatment and transportation options.
The individuals responsible for the application of an innovation are often called pioneers. When you read about the accomplishments of this year’s EMS 10, all written by Cynthia Kincaid, you’ll appreciate the pioneering efforts of these dedicated providers. And we hope they inspire you to develop and implement an innovative project, protocol or procedure that will impact your life, the lives of your colleagues and, most importantly, the lives of your patients.
2009 Honorable Mentions
Tim Butler, chief
St. Paul (Minn.) Fire Department
Nicholas Eschmann, lead author
2009 NAEMSP Best Scientific Abstract winner
Mark Glencorse, blogger
The Project and Chronicles of EMS
Amar Patel, manager
WakeMed Health & Hospitals Medical Simulation Center
Justin Schorr, blogger
The Project and Chronicles of EMS
