Do You Know Who Represents You Within EMSC?

Once a year, Utah’s Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) staff and coordinators come together for a face to face Coordinator's Workshop. It is our chance to review program goals, receive feedback and program direction from our representatives in each of Utah's counties, and have a little fun. Last month we met together in Park City and did just that.

Beginning in 1999, Utah EMSC established what is presently known as the EMSC Coordinator Program. The purpose of this program was to create a pool of EMT/Paramedic/RN Instructors who could promote pediatrics and EMSC goals through:

1. Teaching and coordinating educational programs
2. Promoting and conducting injury prevention activities

Our coordinators help EMSC disseminate pediatric education throughout the state. They are experts within your own communities who have direct access to Primary Children’s Hospital resources, pediatric equipment, and additional pediatric training. We try to maintain two coordinators in each county. Do you know who serves as your EMSC Coordinator?

https://bemsp.utah.gov/operations-and-response/specialty-care-vulnerable-populations/emsc/

The morning was filled by the 2019 program update. We discussed progress made on national performance measures, current projects and goals, and the application of Imagetrend data which will allow counties to see their own pediatric trends.

That was followed by presentations about a variety of pediatric hot topics beginning with youth suicide and child abuse.

Medical Director Hilary Hewes discussed the sick respiratory patient. Erik Andersen, our Lead Coordinator, provided a refresher on the pediatric triage process. Brett Cross introduced the Handitevy tool.

The afternoon was spent applying what we had learned with the help of our young judges.

Coordinators are asked to record events throughout the year that involve EMS, pediatrics, and/or the community. Awards are presented at our annual dinner. Kudos to Janet Carson and Lisa Brasher for recording the most events in 2018. This year, awards also included an EMSC Coordinator of the Year Award which was awarded to the dynamic duo of Sam Yates and Becky Benson.

Becky Benson has been with Wellsville first responders for 33 years (since 1986). She began her career as a volunteer EMT and remembers EMTs using their own vehicles to transport patients. She continued her EMS education and became a nurse. She has been employed as a nurse at Logan Regional Hospital for more than 30 years. She loves teaching and is an EMS Instructor, CPR, and PEPP Instructor and also a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) to help other EMTs and paramedics with the stresses of emergency medicine. Becky has also been with EMSC from the beginning.

Sam Yates is another pillar of EMS in northern Utah. Sam has been an AEMT for Wellsville first responders for more than 20 years. He started his career at Brigham City Fire and now works at Logan Regional Hospital in the Cardiology Department and Tremonton Hospital as their EMS Liaison. In Sam’s spare time she is an EMS Instructor, Training Officer, Course Coordinator, CPR Trainer, and CISM Team member. Students describe Sam’s t teaching style as full of passion, compassion, and enthusiasm all to improve patient care.

Together, Becky and Sam have more than 50 years of combined experience. It would be hard to calculate the number of hours of dedicated service of teaching, mentoring, responding, and serving their communities and the EMSC program. They both have been involved with the Zero Fatalities Conferences, regularly attended EMSC workshops, and administered and brought Stop the Bleed, bike rodeos, and Buckle Tough programs to their communities. Both Becky and Sam currently serve on the state EMSC Advisory Committee. It is a great honor to present Becky and Sam with the EMSC Coordinators of the Year for 2018.

The morning began with pharmacist Greg Nelson discussing the drugs most commonly used for a prehospital pediatric patient. Then, Utah County Coordinator Kris Shields put on an example of the Bike Rodeos that EMSC Coordinators can use in any Utah county. Have you set one up for your next health fair?

We were lucky to receive a brief demonstration of a program developed by owner Thomas Levanti called Workplace Violence Defense at our EMSC Worshop. Mr. Levanti developed the program over his career as military, combat trainer, and security at Wasatch Canyons Behavioral Health. The program focuses on keeping employees and patients safe. His team showed us how to manage a physically combative patient, how to redirect violence, and how to break off an attack. All of which is accomplished without harming or leaving marks on the patient. You may find this program very useful within your own agency. Contact Tom at wpvdefense.com or email him at wpvdefense@gmail.com.

We try to maintain two coordinators per county and currently have open positions in Beaver, Daggett, Duchesne, Kane, Morgan, Piute, Summit, Wayne, and Wasatch Counties. If you have a passion for pediatrics and would like to help your county access the EMSC resources, check out the job description and application on our website https://site.utah.gov/bemsp/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2018/08/ut_emsc_coord_app_2018f.pdf

Five Tips for the Ball Park

I was asked to come up with some safety and prevention tips for the ball park. As a coach, spectator, or an EMS responder you see many things at the “yard.” Here are some things to keep in mind at the ball park.

1. Foul balls: Kids and adults love being close to the action but you may want to be aware of how you stand near the fence. If you want to lean against the fence use a “flat hand” stance instead of putting your fingers through the fence.
2. Blunt trauma: Balls and bats can leave the field of play. PAY ATTENTION!
3. Speed Recognition: High school games are much faster than little league games; reflexes are faster as well. At a high school baseball/softball game, the ball will be moving a lot faster. You'll want to find out if the ball was tipped, kicked, or otherwise slowed down prior to hitting the player.
4. Line Drives: Pitchers are the closest to the batter and most likely to get hit. A line drive to the chest could stop the heart. A detailed assessment is a must! Was there a loss of consciousness? Are they on any regular medications?
5. Food, Hydration, and the Elements: Families may come to games directly from work or kids may play in a tournament all day. Some tournaments involve playing four games in a single day! They may not have eaten an appropriate meal. Perhaps they ate breakfast and split some nachos. A kid's metabolism burns faster; they may burn through food stores. Getting appropriate food and drink intake as well as a blood sugar level should be a priority.

Also let’s not forget about the families who are sitting in the sun all day. Are they wearing appropriately applied sunblock? How are they feeling?

There's nothing quite like a day at a ball game. Kids of all ages will present with different problems. These kids have all sorts of medical histories, allergies, and any other challenges a boy/girl could have. Throw in puberty and teen challenges who knows what might be happening? Asking the right questions are crucial to obtaining a full, detailed assessment with a complete workup.

Just remember, as in life . . . keep your eye on the ball!

Do you have a question for our EMSC Medical Director, Hilary Hewes, MD, PCH, ER Attending Physician about this newsletter topic or anything pediatric related? Shoot an email to the address below and look for her response in our next newsletter.

tdickson@utah.gov

It all began in 1979 when Jolene became certified as a Basic EMT, opening the world of EMS to her. She joined the Bureau of EMS, Department of Health in 1981. For 5 years she served as a regional coordinator and traveled the state working with EMS councils. She worked to develop the state’s first air ambulance regulations and created the EMS Grants Program.

In 1986, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Training, and then in 1990, Jolene was promoted to program manager and created the EMS System Resources Program. Under her leadership this program was able to secure federal grant funding for trauma system development.

In 2000, Jolene worked to create the state Trauma System Program. In 2007, she became the EMS Section Assistant Bureau Director, under Paul Patrick. She served at the national level as the State Trauma System Manager and Chair of the Trauma System Manager Council for the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO).

In 2015, Jolene became the Bureau’s Specialty Care Program Director. This program includes trauma, stroke, STEMI, EMS for Children (EMSC), and performance improvement. In this role she wrote the federal grant for the EMSC program, served as the state EMSC Program Manager for NASMESO, and served on the State Emergency Response Team.

In her 38 years with the bureau Jolene has opened doors, created programs, and secured funding. She has been an integral part of creating the system we now have in place. She understands the importance of this work accomplished through cooperation, teamwork, and partnerships. She considers her co-workers family and treats them as such. She will be missed!

-Tia Dickson

EMSC Pediatric Education for Prehospital Providers

Register online at peppsite.org. Look up classes in Utah and find the one that works for you. Once you find the class, go to jblearning.com, and look up pepp als in the search tool. Purchase the number ($18.95). Return to peppsite.org to register for the class and follow the prompts.

If you have any questions, please email Erik Andersen at eandersen@utah.gov or text/call 435-597-7098. Continue to watch the website for additional classes.

The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program aims to ensure that emergency medical care for the ill and injured child or adolescent is well integrated into an emergency medical service system. We work to ensure that the system is backed by optimal resources and that the entire spectrum of emergency services (prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation) is provided to children and adolescents, no matter where they live, attend school, or travel.

Email: tdickson@utah.gov
Website: https://bemsp.utah.gov/
Phone: 801-707-3763
Facebook: facebook.com/Chirp-UtahDepartmentofHealth