"Open Hanger" at MedFlight III -  MedFlight III will be hosting an "Open Hanger" on June 19th starting at 6:30pm. This is a networking event and an opportunity to talk with and hear from Dr. Fenton, the regional OMD. There will also be a program on the the new BREMS protocols starting at 7pm. For more information call 237-7921 or click here.

New! Protocol Changes Training Notes -  We have had numerous inquiries regarding the training for the new protocol revisions.

Steve is in the process of putting the Instructor Update together to get the new training resources and policies out to the Optional Skills Instructors so they can begin the EZIO and CPAP training. 

Also,  the Intermediate Providers will need an Optional Skills class on Zofran (Optional Med-60) before they can administer it. 

Since Amiodarone is listed as an Essential medication for Intermediates and Paramedics, there is no optional skills class required, however since we are used to using prefilled syringes during codes we would encourage all Intermediates and Paramedics to review the attached sheet regarding mixing and administering Amiodarone, as a code situation is not a good time to have to figure new drug mixing calculations.  Click here for the Amiodarone Administration Guide.      

The mixing instructions will be fixed in the top of all BREMS drug boxes but the proper syringes and the D5W will have to be located among your supplies in your units.  We would encourage pre-planning and maybe doing some training on this at your agency training meetings.

If you have any questions regarding these meds or the Optional Skills Training please contact Steve Wade, Training Coordinator, at (434) 947-5934.

Early Notification to ER of Cardiac Patients -  Dr. Fenton and Dr. Peter O'Brien have asked all BREMS agencies and providers to assist with getting the most information possible on our chest pain patients to the hospital so they can be better prepared to move them into the system.

If you are trained by a BREMS optional skills instructor to obtain a 12-Lead EKG, please send the 12-Lead as early as possible. Also, please call the hospital via cell phone or other phone with the patient's name (MedCom is 434.947.3211. This will assist in obtaining the patient's previous medical records and allow the hospital staff to be better prepared prior to your arrival.

Restocking Supplies at VBH-  A restocking agreement is now in place with Virginia Baptist Hospital for supplies. Please click here for more inforamtion.

NEW! Web-Based CE Now Available - The Virginia Office of EMS is pleased to announce the capability to receive electronic continuing education records from third-party CE vendors. This new interface allows the Office of EMS to accept and apply Category 1 and Category 2 CE credits earned from approved third-party vendors directly to the provider's CE records. For EMS certification levels that require recertifcation at the state level (First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Enhanced) the number of CE credits that can be earned online and counted toward recertification is unlimited. However, provider's seeking to recertify their National Registry certification (EMT-Intermediate 99 and EMT-Paramedic) are limited to 10 hours of online/distributive education credits. This is a policy of the National Registry of EMT's. Two of the approved vendors can be found at www.24-7emsnow.com and www.centrelearn.com.

Additionally, EMSAT programs produced by the Office of EMS are available on-line for CE Credits through TRAIN Virginia.

Click here for more information and to register.

Council Designation Delayed-  The State Health Commissioner has delayed regional council designation by one year. The Virginia Office of EMS is distributing additional information regarding the regulations governing Regional EMS Councils in Virginia, the process for the designation of Regional EMS Councils, and the proposed Regional EMS Council areas. A Process Action Team (PAT) was created to evaluate the existing designated regional service areas and recommend the most effective and efficient arrangement of Regional EMS Council service areas based on numerous national and state criteria, considerations and attributes

After receiving feedback from the first PAT committee meeting and in light of the strong interest expresed by the EMS community during the public hearing held on February 25, 2008, Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP, State Health Commissioner has decided that a delay in designation of the regional councils is prudent. Dr. Remley has issued a variance to the regulations that will have the effect of extending the application deadline for entities seeking designation as a Regional EMS Council from October 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009, as well as extending the current regulatory deadline for the designation of Regional EMS Councils from July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2010.

For more information on the process, click here.

Reminder to Label IV's-  This is a reminder that all patients with IV's should have the appropriate labels in place upon arrival at the ER.  This includes a label at the IV site, the IV drip set and the IV fluid bag, as appropriate. This request comes from the ER administrative staff.