I've been busy the past few weeks with ambulance training. I appreciate my fellow volunteers on the Stephen Volunteer Ambulance Service and the past few weeks have only strengthened my appreciation.
Let's start with our newest machine, the Philips 12 Lead. A few years ago I applied for a grant through the American Heart Association. We weren't selected in round 1, but we got the approval in round 2! In October our group received training on how to use our newest machine.
Let's start with our newest machine, the Philips 12 Lead. A few years ago I applied for a grant through the American Heart Association. We weren't selected in round 1, but we got the approval in round 2! In October our group received training on how to use our newest machine.
This machine changes the way we treat potential heart attack patients. If you call us with chest pain, or maybe you just don't quite feel right, we will hook you up right away. We'll cover you in electrodes, hit "analyze" and then hit "send" and the results will be sent to Altru.
There, a doctor will read the results, and that will determine the rest of your protocol. Minutes are muscle, and if you are having a heart attack, you will be whisked right from the ambulance into their procedure room. They will be ready for you, and save those valuable minutes. This is a big deal, a lifesaving deal.
At first glance, the machine is intimidating. Turns out, it's very easy to use. Everyone was a little nervous pulling it out of the box but it's a very user friendly machine.
There, a doctor will read the results, and that will determine the rest of your protocol. Minutes are muscle, and if you are having a heart attack, you will be whisked right from the ambulance into their procedure room. They will be ready for you, and save those valuable minutes. This is a big deal, a lifesaving deal.
At first glance, the machine is intimidating. Turns out, it's very easy to use. Everyone was a little nervous pulling it out of the box but it's a very user friendly machine.
Early one Saturday morning we started training at 8am with our fearless Medical Director Mark. We are so, so, so lucky to have his as our medical director. He pushed for us to purchase LUCAS, a mechanical CPR machine. We raised the funds (over $20,000), and purchased LUCAS. It is such an amazing machine that one has been purchased for every ambulance service in Minnnesota and North Dakota, so now we have 2! You probably hear that CPR is ineffective, and that's usually because it is not done correctly. LUCAS does it right every time, never gets tired, and always has the perfect depth and timing. This is another lifesaving device we are fortunate to have, and all thanks to a push from our medical director. It takes 50 minutes to get from Stephen to Grand Forks, and that's a long time to do CPR, and do it effectively. Now we can with LUCAS.
Our medical director is also wonderful because of the lifesaving medications he allows us to carry. We are a Basic Life Support service which means we are only required to do the basics. We can apply for variances to carry additional lifesaving medications, and our medical director has pushed us to do that. It does require extra training, and the medications are expensive, but they are worth the peace of mind. Imagine your nephew is visiting, has a peanut allergy, and eats a brownie with nuts. We carry an epi-pen, and not all ambulance services do that. One simple medication can open his airway, and save his life. We can give glucagon to diabetic patients, nitroglycerin to heart patients, and nebulizers for breathing problems. When you live 50 miles from a trauma center, these medications are critical. Taking time on a Saturday for training is worth the peace of mind. Thanks to Mark for pushing us to be more than a Basic Life Support service.
Our medical director is also wonderful because of the lifesaving medications he allows us to carry. We are a Basic Life Support service which means we are only required to do the basics. We can apply for variances to carry additional lifesaving medications, and our medical director has pushed us to do that. It does require extra training, and the medications are expensive, but they are worth the peace of mind. Imagine your nephew is visiting, has a peanut allergy, and eats a brownie with nuts. We carry an epi-pen, and not all ambulance services do that. One simple medication can open his airway, and save his life. We can give glucagon to diabetic patients, nitroglycerin to heart patients, and nebulizers for breathing problems. When you live 50 miles from a trauma center, these medications are critical. Taking time on a Saturday for training is worth the peace of mind. Thanks to Mark for pushing us to be more than a Basic Life Support service.
Finally, it was a cold and windy night when we met at the airport to meet Valley Med Flight, a new medical helicopter service based in Roseau.
The flight paramedic, nurse and pilot brought pizza to our meeting, a sure way to win over our hearts. The firemen and SVAS members learned how to set up landing areas and when to use a med flight.
We have used Sanford Air Med in the past, and this is just one more option available to use if we feel the patient needs extra care.
The flight paramedic, nurse and pilot brought pizza to our meeting, a sure way to win over our hearts. The firemen and SVAS members learned how to set up landing areas and when to use a med flight.
We have used Sanford Air Med in the past, and this is just one more option available to use if we feel the patient needs extra care.
It has been a busy 3 weeks for training. We are a small ambulance service, but we have the same training requirements as a big city service. If you live in Stephen, sleep well tonight knowing the ambulance service is well trained, and ready if you need us. I'm so grateful to be working with the greatest volunteers in the world.
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