Patient Safety
The patient safety topic contains news, tips and expert-written articles sharing how EMS providers can build safety into every system of care, ensuring that patients receive the safest and most reliable care.
Establishing clear policies, protocols and building trust: PCHD EMS shares their body-worn cameras implementation journey
Is it the providers’ responsibility to stay until the patient can be located? If not, how long is long enough?
Check your knowledge of carbon monoxide poisoning causes, symptoms and protective strategies on scene
The soldier was transported eight hours by ground ambulance before surgery in a hospital parking lot
Without knowing the root cause of the behavior problem, fixing it is sheer luck
The evidence tells us that not using red lights and sirens should be the rule – and using them should be an infrequent exception
Louisiana State Police trooper also injured at scene that happened after an impaired driver veered into another vehicle to avoid hitting the man on the bridge shoulder
Use the EMS “Go to Sleep” checklist to see if lack of sleep is making you or your partner dangerous to one another, your patients and the community
Errors in patient care and EMS provider health concerns are raising awareness of the risks of prolonger work hours
The Pine Grove Area Community Ambulance crew and patient escaped the fire unharmed
Being overweight is a threat to our patients, to our health and to our livelihood
The Nash County EMS providers did not sustain life-threatening injuries and cared for the injured vehicle occupants
Standardizing the transition of care helps improve patient safety and ensure the patient’s care is smooth and no information is lost
‘Last Week Tonight’ segment confronts the inability of 911 systems to find callers as easily as a pizza delivery app or an Uber driver
EMS providers need to admit that prehospital patient care errors can and do happen to begin addressing this serious cause of patient injury and death
An ambulance carrying a 7-year-old boy with life-threatening seizures was trapped by two motorists who refused to move
New research found that paramedics can use a simple breath measurement to identify potential cases of sepsis
At least 250,000 deaths each year can be attributed to medical care that has gone awry
Improperly used or maintained patient care and devices can cause harm to patients and providers
Hospitals have made a variety of policy and procedural changes to get patients in and out of the emergency department faster
A review of the performance of ketamine in the agitated or excited delirium patient with an acute and potential life-threatening medical condition
Recommendations from SAE describe specific testing standards to minimize the risk of injury to providers and patients during an ambulance collision
The only thing between me and certain death at the hands of a psychopath is a seat belt and portable radio
We laugh about our own fatigue-related episodes, but such gallows humor belittles the real issue that lies beneath
The paramedics were forced to work a 20-hour shift to transport a patient; officials said crews regularly work shifts of more than 15 hours
Researchers find a growing number of patients without a spontaneous heartbeat who regain consciousness while receiving CPR
The forum was designed to educate first responders on how to recognize signs of child abuse
Reckless behaviors warrant careful investigation and potentially lead to remediation or termination of employment
Knowing when to use these management tools to identify and reduce at-risk work behaviors is critical to being a successful EMS leader
Prepare for behavioral emergencies by understanding pathophysiology, personal protection, patient handling and restraint techniques, and the importance of documentation
