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Run reviews, held bi-monthly, provide our paramedics with an ongoing Quality Assurance Program. Run reviews, attended by Dr. Donald Spaner, an emergency room physician at Hillcrest Hospital and Medical Director for the South Euclid Fire Department, allow the paramedics to ask questions and receive feedback regarding patient treatment. It also provides patient outcomes on a case by case basis.
Hillcrest Hospital provides continuing education and in service training throughout the year. EMS Manager Karen Shelby oversees our program. Through her efforts, we continue to stay on the forefront of EMS technology and patient treatment modalities.
All patients who are transported to a medical facility are billed for service. Patients who refuse transport, or those who only require assistance, will continue to receive our services at no charge. All billing service is contracted to Great Lakes Billing Associates, Inc.
The variety of emergency calls range from a simple laceration, delivery of a baby, to a cardiac arrest or severe trauma patient, requiring the paramedics to utilize all of their skills. Due to the wide range and unpredictable nature of emergency situations, a state of readiness, accompanied with continuous training and review of practical skills is necessary. The paramedic has the responsibility of mastering a variety of complex skills that are not practiced by the basic level Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Among them; intravenous cannulation, endotrachial intubation, recognition and management of cardiac dysrhythmias, and administration of drugs and intravenous fluids. Continuing competence is absolutely necessary.
Paramedics provide treatment based on training, experience, medical protocol and Medical Command (Hillcrest Hospital Emergency Room). Medical Command, through the paramedics observations and reports, is able to make an accurate assessment of the patient and render skilled, appropriate treatment through the paramedic via the radio or cellular phone.
Both South Euclid Fire Department rescue squads are capable of faxing a 12-Lead EKG tracing to the hospital. This allows medical command to treat the patient in the field, with the paramedic acting as the physician’s eyes, ears and hands.
Currently South Euclid Fire Department has two rescue squads (341 & 342) equipped with ALS equipment. A third rescue squad (343) is maintained as a replacement should one of the front line squads need to be taken out of service for repair. Engine 311 is also equipped with ALS equipment.
In 2006, through the diligent efforts of the EMS Officer, the South Euclid Fire Department received $2,500 in State of Ohio EMS Grant money for EMS equipment.
The dynamic changes that are and will be taking place in today’s health care industry have a direct influence on Emergency Medical Service. Care in the field is becoming more aggressive and definitive towards treating the illness rather then the symptom.
South Euclid Fire Department is keeping current on new techniques, equipment and philosophy in the highly technical and ever-fast evolving EMS field. Much more is being asked of EMS then ever before and the Emergency Medical Service of the South Euclid Fire Department is responding to the challenges as an opportunity and meeting the ever changing needs of the community.
Hospital Transport Totals 2006
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