EMS FYI August 9, 2019
August 9, 2019
All information falls under the latest revision for the EMS Protocols: 11-15-2018
On Wednesday August 7th, Chief Orlando Dominguez and Community Health Resource Program Coordinator Mark Weiss met with Christina Weaver from Parrish Medical Center to discuss topics such as: Community Needs Assessment, Decreasing readmittance of patients and possible Community Paramedic partnership between organizations. We are healthcare partners committed to the residents and guests of Brevard County. BCFR and PMC are working together for a healthier Brevard!
Also on Wednesday August 7th, Mark Weiss attended the USPS Safety Symposium in Melbourne where he advised on heat emergencies, the Vial of Life program and PulsePoint.
More station visits from FM Chris Chadwick! This week he finished his deliveries, tackling stations 80, 81, 82, 83/85, 84, 45,47 & 48!
HIPAA Quick Reference
If someone visits or calls your Station to request patient records/care information:
•    Patients, families, law enforcement, lawyers, and healthcare originations
o    Refer them to the Office of EMS.
•    Hospitals
o    If the individual that is calling you is from the emergency department pertaining to a patient that you just transported. Only answer questions if you are positive that you are speaking with the ED physician or ED nurse. If you are uncertain if the caller is the ED physician or nurse:
    Obtain the caller’s phone number and name of the person requesting information.
    Contact “Brevard” and have them directly contact the ED and ask for the person requesting the information. If the person truly works in the ED, Brevard will connect you with the individual. (Bulletin Number 2015-8)
o    If the information is not of an emergent nature, all requests for patient care information should be directed to the Office of EMS.
•    Media, reporters, journalists
o    Refer them to department PIO or designee
o    Never talk about anything that releases HIPAA, PHI, or Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
How to handle HIPAA at the station
•    Always ensure that there is an employee escort if there is a visitor
•    Ensure station is secured when leaving
•    Lock computer when not in use
•    Store HIPAA/PHI related items from easy view
•    Do not email patient information

On Tuesday August 6th, Jennifer McFadden and Mark Weiss started their stations visits. Jennifer is dropping off HIPAA Quick Reference cards and Mark is dropping off Station Disinfection Reference Material. They have started in the North end with 21, 22 & 24 and will be working their way South. If you have any questions for them regarding the material they are leaving behind, please feel free to reach out to them via email or calling FRC.
Station Disinfection Reference Material
Review the recommendations for disinfection procedures below. Utilize this checklist to ensure daily and periodic cleaning and disinfection control is practiced at your station.
General
All hard environmental surfaces are cleaned and disinfected daily with an EPA-registered product
Light switches, doorknobs, door push bars, elevator controls, handrails, and community phones are disinfected daily with an EPA-registered product
All hard flooring is cleaned and disinfected daily with an EPA-registered product
Mop heads and buckets utilized for restrooms, and showers should be independent from program areas and office space; mop heads are cleaned and disinfected weekly.
Restrooms: wall dispensers are utilized for liquid soap (no bar soap)
Exercise/Weight Room
Grip areas on weight bars, dumbbells, and machines are wiped down after use with an EPA-registered product.
Wall padding, lifting benches, stationary bike seats, and/or floor mats are cleaned after use with an EPA registered product or 1: 100 bleach solution(dilute 1.28 oz. of bleach in 1 gallon of water)
Use Hand Sanitizer (>70% alcohol) are placed at each entry/exit door; signage to indicate minimum use:
upon entering/leaving facility
Shower Rooms/Bathrooms
Showers (shower area,  floors, and benches) are cleaned and disinfected daily with an EPA registered
product and wall dispensers are utilized for liquid soap and are placed within
(no bar soap)
Used towels or linens utilized are only handled by employees with gloves
Towels or linens laundered in the station facilities are
washed at 160°F and dried in a clothes dryer
Please post this in a central location to use as reference material. 
If you have any question please contact Infection Control Officer Mark Weiss. 
Office: 321-633-2056 ext. 59763           Cell: 321-266-5334.

We are very proud of the extraordinary work these men and women have done to make sure Brevard County beaches are safe. With schools back in session starting August 9th we are switching back to our 5 year round towers Monday through Friday and all 25 towers will be staffed Saturdays and Sundays extending until the end of Labor Day .


Our lifeguards are expecting a busy fall as the rip current threat will continue late into the year during hurricane season. Please take the appropriate steps to make sure you stay safe when visiting the beach.


Bathers and beachgoers are reminded to utilize the 911 system for any emergency occurring in Brevard County, on the beach, when lifeguards are not present.  All emergencies will continue to receive an Ocean Rescue response year round.


Please see below regarding tips on how to be safe in the water and at the beach, even when lifeguards are not present.


  •     Check our mobile beach safety page for times and locations for out 5 year round lifeguard locations.
  •     Never swim alone
  •     Swim near a lifeguard on- duty
  •     Check in with the lifeguard before going into the water for ocean conditions and hazard
  •     Practice good judgment.  Swim and surf within your abilities
  •     Listen to all lifeguard warnings and announcements

http://www.brevardcounty.us/FireRescue/BeachSafety
Here are a few snip its from a video of an intubation with the Airtraq by R41. According to the crew, the patient was a difficult intubation but was completed 1st attempt during chest compressions.
If you are interested in working either of the upcoming OT special events below please contact staffing to reserve your spot.
Event: WWE NXT Wrestling
Date: Friday, August 21, 2019
Event Location: Melbourne Auditorium 625 E Hibiscus Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901
Hours: 1730-2300 (Crew to pick up unit at 1730 and be in place at event by 1830)
Crew: 1 Paramedic/1 EMT (or PM) (Dedicated)
Event: Round 13 Live Boxing Palm Bay
Location: Tony Rosa Bay Community Center, 1502 Port Malabar Road, Port Malabar NE, Palm Bay, FL 32901
Date:  August 10, 2019
Time: 1600 – 0030 (Crew to pick up unit at 1600 and be in place at event by 1700)
Approximate Number of Patrons: 250
Crew: 1 Rescue, 1 PM/1EMT (or PM) (Dedicated)
If you have any questions or have something you would like shared, please contact Mark Weiss by phone at 321-633-2056, 321-266-5334 or by email at Mark.Weiss@brevardfl.gov
EMS Statistics
From 8/2/2019–8/8/2019, BCFREMS responded to:
Trauma Calls-220
Medical Calls-771
Motor Vehicle Crashes-167
Transports-875
ALS Transports-530
BLS Transports-345
Total Responses-1,370
911 Calls to Dispatch- 2,336
PulsePoint CPR Alerts- 2
Mobile Integrated Health Activities- 8
We Want to Hear from You

Please let us know if you:
        Have a question that can benefit the department
        Have an interesting case to share
        Want to recognize someone for providing excellent customer service
        Just want to share some information that’s coming to your area

If you have any questions about the above topics, please refer them to the EMS Office (FR_EMSQandA@brevardcounty.us) and we will provide an answer for you.
Email your questions/comments to FR_EMSQandA
For more updates on what’s happening in EMS, visit BCFR EMS Twitter Site @BCFREMS, FaceBook Page, or YouTube Videos
Promoting a Culture of EMS:
Ensure mutual respect and kindness when engaging with stakeholders
Meet and exceed stakeholder expectations
Support a “Culture of Quality”
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