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Celebrating Emergency Medical Services

National EMS Week 2019

The life of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic is hectic to say the least.

When constantly bracing for the unexpected, facing crises, and helping to save lives every day, “preparation” takes on a different meaning. In the world of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the best preparation can sometimes mean sheer awareness and recognition.

For National EMS Week, May 19-25, we would like to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work that they do in our nation’s communities. They serve on the frontlines of care, safeguarding our health and wellbeing. And, each year, they evolve their training and practice as major care issues shift and change. We commend and thank them for their dedication to excellent care and better patient outcomes.

Below, we highlight seven concerns that EMS experts say currently influence their training. These are just a few of the many concerns that EMS face every single day.

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Preparing for Mass Casualty Events

An accident, a mass-tragedy, or a natural catastrophe all share the fact that they occur suddenly and without warning. EMS must train to navigate unfamiliar environments and treat multiple patients all at once.

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Addressing the Rising Opioid Crisis

As the toll of opioid overdose deaths has steadily continued to rise over the past decade, public awareness has also increased. In addition to treating overdosing patients, EMS systems are now beginning to educate their communities about the treatment of a drug victim.

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Training Bystanders in Bleeding Control

Hemorrhage is the second leading cause of death for patients in the pre-hospital environment. Bystanders, who are present on the scene before professional rescuers arrive, require training and confidence to step in and help save a life.

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Putting Emphasis on First Responder Safety

During an emergency call, EMTs and paramedics can find it difficult to protect themselves from potential threats. This is why many EMS systems are working to implement and reinforce compliance with infection control guidelines.

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Identifying and Treating Sepsis

Each year in the U.S., more than 1.5 million people get sepsis and 250,000 people die from it. EMS plays an integral role in identifying sepsis early and administering antibiotics immediately.

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Improving Stroke Recognition

When a victim is experiencing a stroke, the EMS call can come in as any combination of symptoms. EMTs and paramedics must train to identify a stroke quickly and accurately to minimize brain injury. 

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Training for Team Dynamics in Resuscitation

Today, 40 communities across the nation rigorously measure and report on cardiac arrest survival rates. These EMS systems focus on quality CPR and effective teamwork to improve patient outcomes.

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