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In this week’s Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the recent study that claims Boston Fire and EMS is the most expensive emergency services department in the country.
Chris and Kelly also discuss why two EMTs are being sued by a woman who claims one of the workers improperly removed her teenage daughter’s clothing while being transported to a hospital after suffering a head injury.
“If this thing goes wrong, then this is going to change the whole structure of EMS,” Chris said.
They also debate the need of air versus ground EMS in their clinical issue segment.
“I think that there is a need for helicopters in EMS and I think that we have to be able to utilize them correctly,” Chris said. “There are opportunities where we have to get people to the hospital quickly.”
Kelly argues that helicopters are overused and the bar for flying someone should be set higher.
“The benefits of helicopter EMS are diminished because there’s a trauma center around every corner and a ground ambulance can often get there just as fast, if not faster,” Kelly said. “We’re not utilizing them appropriately.”
They also interview Ben Chlapek, a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army, paramedic and fire chief, about his work to help veteran Army medics find a civilian EMS job.
If you have any topics or items you would like to hear discussed on Inside EMS, let us know in the comment section below.
Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:
Study: Boston EMS most expensive in U.S.
Ky. ambulance company, EMTs sued for removing teens clothes
Officer shoots, kills mentally ill teen after family calls for ambulance
FAA puts brakes on new air ambulance safety rules
Ala. air ambulance base closes due to high costs
