[ back ]
Emergency rescues roll with technology
(by Sue Reid - May 16, 2012)
Emergency rescues roll with technology
By SUE REID
Not only has the role of a paramedic become more sophisticated, but the level of care being given to patients in an ambulance has increased, according to Solon Fire Chief William J. Shaw.
That is due in large part to the changes in technology, he said. "We are going in the direction of an emergency room on wheels," he said. "It's really amazing to think of how far we have come."
For example, with heart monitoring, when he began as a paramedic, it was called a "three lead," Mr. Shaw said. "We would attach three wires to the patient to get the heart rhythm," he said. It wasn't until the patient reached the hospital that a cardiologist would have a more sophisticated machine and hook up a "12 lead," he said.
"Now, the 12-lead is standard in the field," he said. "We have the ability to use that in the field and transmit that information using cell-phone technology to the hospital."
Another diagnostic tool, capnography machines, which allow paramedics to register carbon-dioxide levels in an individual, are attached to Life Pack 15's in the ambulance, said John Coyne, emergency medical service coordinator and paramedic with the Solon Fire Department.
"Our new Life Pack 15's have the capability of registering capnography, which is the CO2 in our body, which also tells us how the lungs are exchanging gases," he said. "It's another diagnostic tool."
Mr. Coyne, a paramedic for 18 years, said the technology in ambulances is getting smaller and more accurate. "We have all this capability in one machine," he said.
It used to be "load and go," Mr. Coyne said of the role of a paramedic. "When it comes to cardiology, we do what the doctors are doing. We have the same medication that the doctors have in the ER." The doctors go further with such things as X-rays or surgery, he said.
The new technology enables paramedics to be quicker in their administration of care and gives them the ability to determine what is going on with a patent, Mr. Coyne said.
"I think that is one of the biggest driving factors," Mr. Shaw said. "As technology shrinks, we say, 'We can shrink that into an ambulance' and be able to treat the victim better in the field or emergency room."
Solon battalion chief Mark Vedder, who became a paramedic in 1976, said the role of a paramedic has become complex and a lot more independent. "We are being trained and trusted to do a lot more things independently," he said of making decisions on patient care.
Paramedics used to have to get permission for everything, Mr. Vedder said. "Now, through standing orders, we make determinations." There's a lot more responsibility that goes with that, he said, but it also makes the care a lot more efficient.
Mr. Shaw said, with patients getting more care, the rescue calls are going to take longer. "Obviously, there's a time factor involved in doing all this different monitoring and treatment," he said. "Also, it takes a few more people."
Normally, the fire department runs two people on the ambulance, but to be prepared for that added care, a fire engine with two more officers is sent to calls, Mr. Shaw said. "They work as a team of four to give that high level of care but also to keep the time as short as possible, so we can get the unit back in service for the next call," he said.
"That's the struggle we face," Mr. Shaw said. "We know we have other calls, although we are not sure when they are coming in."
The majority of Solon 58 firefighters are paramedics, with a couple who are basic and advanced emergency medical technicians. As some members get closer to their retirement, Mr. Shaw said, they don't recertify.
Being a paramedic is required at the time of hiring, which is not an unusual requirement, he said. "Most suburban fire departments are built around delivering EMS," Mr. Shaw said. "That's the bulk of their business."
Most paramedic programs are about nine months long, although they're based on a required number of hours.
Mr. Vedder said, when he became a paramedic, an emergency medical technician was required to take 60 hours and a paramedic 120 hours. "Today, the average paramedic has several thousand hours" of training plus additional hours of continuing education, he said. Paramedics are required to renew their certification every three years in different categories.
"We strive to keep on the cutting edge to provide the highest level of service, and the city has been supportive of that," Mr. Shaw said. "We've been able to deliver that."
[ back ]
