"Up to 1000 children injured in ambulance crashes each year."
This is one of the statistics that formed the basis of a meeting held on August 5th in Washington DC to discuss the safe transportation of children in ambulances. The working group identified five categories of child transports. These are defined as:
1. Child who is uninjured/not ill;
2. Child who is ill and/or injured and whose condition does not require continuous and/or intensive medical monitoring and/or interventions;
3. Child whose condition requires continuous and/or intensive medical monitoring and/or interventions;
4. Child whose condition requires spinal immobilization and/or lying flat; and
5. Child or children who require transport as part of a multiple patient transport (newborn with Mother,
multiple children, etc.).
For each category there is a defined ideal method of transport as well as alternate methods when the ideal is not possible.
This meeting was hosted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and included memebers of the medical, fire and EMS communities.
The committee also recognized that additional areas regarding ambulance safety exist but that these were outside the scope of this group.
Remember: Never transport a child, sick or not, injured or not in the arms of a parent or caregiver.
For more information on this topic and to see all comments and well as a child/pediatric transport equipment list go to: www.regulations.gov. Enter 2010-0089 into the search engine to see all posted comments for this topic.
Please take a moment to complete our child transport practice survey.
Click here for a Powerpoint presentation of Child/Pediatric transport equipment- formatted into these five categories. **********************************************************************************************************
The Headlines Say It All "Ambulance Driver Stuck, Killed While Responding to Crash"
"Person Hit By Ambulance"
"Ambulance Driver Cited for Reckless Driving"
The above are all real headlines, from just one day. It just goes to show that EMS is hazardous for the responders as well as the public at large. This need not be so. It need not be so common place and it should never be accepted as just part of doing business. Take Action, Take Care. Prevent tragedy.
***************************************************************************************************** Are You Distracted?
I recently received a phone call from a reporter looking for information about distracted driving among ambulance operators. Do we have distractions?
Twenty years ago there was siren noise and traffic and traffic control devices and map books and pagers and dispatch. Today its siren noise and more traffic and traffic control devices and GPS and mobile data terminals and cell phones and text messages and backing cameras and dispatch etc.
When I used to teach driving programs we used to take our practice driving route along the beach where distractions are obvious. The idea was to drive home the point- there ARE distractions and as professionals we must manage them. Easier said than done.
Talking and driving, texting and driving have no place on our roads- especially in emergency vehicles- we are professionals- we know better. The government agrees. So many traffic accidents- some serious- are being caused by these distracted driving conditions that the Federal government has started the "Distraction.gov" website. The Fed has also banned texting by commercial drivers.
Distracted driving is a risk for anyone who engages in such a practice. EMS agencies need to step up with policies they will enforce. Individual medics need to police and control themselves.
Remember- we are here to save lives- not take them.
*************************************************************************************************** Let's Get Physical
Last post I referenced the work that First Lady Michelle Obama and the Whitehouse are doing relative to childhood obesity. I further suggested that we apply some of these same principles to the EMS profession and that no one was going to do it for us.
When it comes to injury prevention nothing compares to simple physical fitness- simply moving- encouraging blood flow and circulation and better nutrition absorption. Next comes what we eat- fats and carbs etc. Food is also compared to our movement, our physical activity to determine weight loss or gain. Stand and or move while on post or between calls at the station. Get a diet buddy if you need to lose weight. Its easier with a higher rate of success if you don't go it alone. (PS Dogs are great exercise companions- they are ready to go when you are- plus they need exercise too)
Injuries are common- always have been in EMS. Some are inevitable others- not so much. Do your part to stay fit and injury free.
******************************************************************************************************* The Big "O"
Sorry to disappoint but this is about obesity. Earlier this week Mrs. Michelle Obama announced that she will lead a movement to reduce childhood obesity. Research shows that due to obesity that this may be the first generation in a long time to have shorter life expectancy than their parents. This is truly a sad state. All our thanks to Mrs. Obama for being the champion of this cause.
However obesity does not just affect the young. Obesity can be found in large numbers in all age groups and is found in EMS. We too need our own champion- someone to encourage us to be healthier, lighter and more fit. Not only does obesity carry the risk of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, it may also increase the risk of injury and cut short the career of an otherwise talented medic.
There is not much chance that the First Lady will adopt our profession as a cause. In fact there is little likelihood a recognized person will step up and take us on as a cause. OK- lets do it ourselves- be our own champions- set out own goals. Lets encourage each other, work with each other- offer help and hope. We got in this profession to help people and we need to remember that sometimes the people who need help is us.
******************************************************************************************************* Stop Means Stop- Three Powerful Words
These three words are basic to safe driving period. Somehow many in EMS forgot them. It doesn't matter why it happened- it just did. Lives are saved when these words are followed- lives are lost when they are not.
A typical statute governing stop signs and red lights might read: "The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may proceed through a red light or stop sign after slowing down as may be necessary to avoid a collision." Clear as mud.
I like this better: "Stop Means Stop. When its safe, thenyou may go.
********************************************************************************************************* The Wisdom Of Others
My book, "EMS and the Zero Fail Mission", introduces readers to The Wisdom of Others (TWoO). Each chapter starts with a relevant quote from a famous person. So many brave and wise people have preceded us it is foolish not to seek their wisdom and apply it to our present need, desire or circumstance.
For Example: "Failure is often the line of least persistence." Zig Ziglar
What can we learn from this and how might we apply it to our quest for improved safety performance. Simple- if we are not succeeding- are we persisting? Do we persist when there is push back? Do we persist when there is so many easier things to do? Do we persist when other tasks bring more instant reward?
To achieve safety success and an active safety culture- persist- always.
