NTSB: 19 New Measures for HEMS Safety

The National Transportation Safety Board followed its helicopter EMS hearings earlier this year with 19 new recommendations for HEMS safety, released in September.

Ten of the recommendations, made to the FAA, address issues like improved pilot training; collection and analysis of flight, weather and safety data; flight data monitoring; development of low-altitude airspace infrastructure; and use of dual pilots, autopilots and night vision imaging systems. Two others, made to CMS, urge evaluation of the HEMS reimbursement rate structure and its relationship to patient transport safety. Two more, to FICEMS, are to address coordination and integration of helicopter emergency medical transport into local and regional emergency medical systems and selection of the most appropriate emergency transportation mode for trauma victims. The last five, to public operators, concern improved pilot training; flight data monitoring; and the use of dual pilots, autopilots and NVIS.

The NTSB will also draft additional recommendations to CMS regarding safety audit standards.

There were 12 HEMS accidents in 2008, leading to 29 fatalities. For more: http://ntsb.gov.

PRODUCT NEWS IN BRIEF

Fortune Magazine included ZOLL among its 100 fastest growing companies … Masimo announced an enhanced version of its Patient SafetyNet system … EMS Options and ICE4safety.com introduced "smart-ICE4family," the first iPhone/iPod application with detailed multiple profile capabilities for emergency preparedness.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Key language from the Ryan White CARE Act protecting first responders potentially exposed to infectious diseases that was accidentally dropped in 2006 was reinstated in legislation from the Senate HELP Committee … New research suggests the H1N1 virus can still be spread days after a victim no longer experiences fever, and is contagious for longer than ordinary flu … An Oregon jury found American Medical Response guilty of negligence for not acting on previous complaints against an employee who sexually assaulted a woman in an ambulance. The woman received $2.25 million … The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, introduced in the Senate, would grant collective bargaining rights to public employees, including EMS workers … The Obama administration rehired John Howard, who served in the position from 2006–08, as the country's 9/11 health coordinator … The Kansas City (MO) City Council turned its MAST ambulance service over to the fire department … A new iPhone application, "Outbreaks Near Me," lets users track and report outbreaks of infectious diseases in their communities … A report from the National Commission on Children and Disasters calls for emergency responders to carry medical equipment and supplies for kids … Winter Park (FL) Fire-Rescue received the Garry Briese IAFC Safety Performance Award for its role in introducing the ActionSafe interior configuration, codeveloped by Medtec … The IAFC awarded Dallas Fire-Rescue's wellness-fitness program its 2009 Fire Service Award for Excellence … EMTs and paramedics in Ohio will be trained to give H1N1 flu shots and deployed at public clinics … Steel from the World Trade Center is available for public memorials and nonprofit use by organizations like public-safety agencies; see www.911families.org … Oklahoma's Emergency Medical Services Authority is introducing therapeutic hypothermia for cardiac arrest … South Carolina's attorney general's office says releasing EMS response times to the public could violate patient privacy … ACEP warns that passing healthcare reform is not likely to decrease the need for emergency care … The CDC released its "Access to Trauma Centers in the United States" mapping tool, available at www.cdc.gov/Trauma Care … The Department of Homeland Security released an H1N1 preparedness guide for small businesses; see www.flu.gov … New York healthcare workers rallied against a new state rule requiring them to be vaccinated for swine flu … The Denver Fire Department may charge non-residents $600 for emergency care if they cause an accident on a state highway … Three shots were fired at fire headquarters in Greenup County, KY, nearly hitting three EMS workers entering the building … A courtroom scuffle over traffic tickets in Jericho, AR, ended with a city police officer shooting the local fire chief, the local police department disbanded, and the fire department resigning en masse after the chief, not the officer, was charged.

LINE OF DUTY DEATHS

• A Carolina Lifecare flight diverted by bad weather crashed in Georgetown County, SC, Sept. 25, killing flight medic Randolph Dove, 39, flight nurse Dianna Conner, 42, and pilot Patrick Walters, 45. No patients were on board.

• Joseph R. Barlow, 57, of the Johnson County (TN) Rescue Squad, died in an ambulance crash on September 18.

FERNO FOUNDER DIES

• Ferno founder and patient-movement pioneer Richard H. Ferneau died on Sept. 8 at age 90. Ferneau's innovations included using aluminum tubing to build ambulance cots and development of the elevating ambulance cot.

NOVEMBER IS

CPR Awareness Month (Canada) • American Diabetes Month • National Epilepsy Month • National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month • Great American Smokeout Day (11/19)