The Value Quotient: Looking at the combined effects of quality & cost

If you manage money in your agency, this is a must read. You'll find out how an equation can help you make financial decisions.

Mic Gunderson

The Aussie Anesthetic: Why the U.S. should consider equipping medics with ketamine

An Australian medical director talks about how his EMS system uses ketamine for pain management. Your agency may want to follow suit.

Stephen Rashford , MBBS, FACEM

When Dead Is Only Mostly Dead: Understanding which causes of sudden cardiac death have good outcomes

EMS providers sometimes approach cardiac arrest assuming it will end poorly. But certain causes of cardiac arrest can allow for excellent outcomes despite prolonged CPR.

Don't Be A Minimizer: Avoid the Trap of Underestimating Signs & Symptoms

Are you a minimizer? Let’s hope not. Read this article to find out.

Rollin J. Fairbanks, MD, MS

Chilled Crowds Keep 200-plus ambulances busy

Preparation by DC-area EMS agencies allows inauguration response for more than 2 million people to go off without a hitch; ultrasound use expands in the field with mixed results; JEMS legal columnists ask how well your state_s immunity laws are protecting you; and more.

Immigrant Physicians Become Paramedics

Alberta, Canada, is taking the matter of paramedic shortage into its own hands by training immigrant physicians; several states are starting registries for patients using home medical equipment so the special-needs population can have their power restored first in an outage; Louisville, Ky., is requiring some city employees to take four unpaid days off; and more.

Rig Ragging: How computerized monitoring systems have changed ambulance driving

Steve Berry started driving an ambulance before computerized monitoring systems. Read his take on black boxes in rigs.

Steve Berry

OMG, OMD!: Sweet-talkin' your medical director & being a smart patient

This month, Sirenhead gives you a few tips on bonding with your medical director and also a reminder about the advantages of being a patient.

Sirenhead

A Weight Lifted & House Syndrome

Readers share their comments on JEMS and JEMS.com articles.

Problems of Practice: A new outlet to share them & improve volunteer EMS

Read how Jason Zigmont will use his print and online articles to solve volunteer EMS issues and bring together the volunteer community.

Jason J. Zigmont, MA, NREMT-P

No Bailout for EMS: Running your system on less without running it into the ground

We_re in a depressed economy, and that means property has less value and people are spending less, which means potentially less tax revenue for EMS. As an EMS manager, how do you make smart decisions to stay afloat?

Gary Ludwig, MS, EMT-P

Resource Overkill: We Can Do More for Less

Do you use resources wisely in your EMS system? When you send too many resources on a call, you_re wasting money and risking precious assets.

A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P