On-Scene F A L L 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 3 C H E C K O U T

W H A T ’ S I N -

S I D E :

RFP Released for

Sunstar Paramed-

ics

HCA All Star

Awards

Ebola Prepared-

ness in Pinellas

County

Handtevy Added

to EMS System

Sunstar was recently recognized for three awards during the Florida State Department of Health EMS Awards Ceremony held on July 16. The awards included, Jay Horne for Emergency Medical Technician of the Year, David Selbach for EMS Injury Prevention, and Sunstar for Video of the Year. Horne, EMT for Sunstar, was recog-nized for his role in responding to Ire-land Nugent’s tragic riding lawnmower accident. Horne assisted in transferring

Ireland, who was two years old at the time, to the Bayflite crew. During this emotional call, he exhibited top-notch emergency response skills with the highest level of calm and competence. Ireland had to undergo two below-the-knee amputations. Since the accident, she has had a successful road to recovery and is walking with the help of prosthetics. Selbach, also an EMT, received the EMS Injury Prevention Award for his work in promoting child safety best practices. As a Child Passenger Safety technician, Selbach in-structs parents and other community members on the proper installation of child safety seats. In order to keep up with best safety practices, Selbach has to meet regular recertifica-tion requirements, stay current on knowledge of new and recalled car seats, and participate in continuing edu-cation courses. Sunstar was honored with the Video of the Year Award for its memorial video created in remem-brance of Christopher Jennings, exemplifying the theme of EMS Week “EMS: Dedicated. For Life.” Jennings, alongside Horne, was among the first emergency responders on the scene of Ireland’s lawnmower accident. A few short months after reuniting with Ire-land and her family, Jennings was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way home from work. Sunstar’s video illustrates the dedication Jennings showed for his profession and the lasting legacy he left behind.

Sunstar Paramedics Honored

with Three State EMS Awards

New Pediatric Equipment Added to EMS System

Pinellas County is adopting the Handtevy Pediatric Resuscitation System created by Dr.

Peter Antevy, Pediatric Emergency Physician and Director of Broward College’s EMS

Division. This customized pediatric resuscitation and drug dosing system allows para-

medics to efficiently manage pediatric emergencies in a way that makes it easy to de-

termine drug volumes and age-appropriate equipment within seconds. A total of 180

Handtevy bags have been assembled and deployed to all fire department first response

units and Sunstar ambulances within Pinellas County.

SUNSTAR TACKLES EBOLA CRISIS

When confirmed cases of Ebola arrived in the United States, Pinellas County EMS began to prepare, ra-ther than panic. Using lessons learned from the care providers who had contact with Ebola patients along with CDC guidelines, EMS began to evaluate and tweak current infectious disease policies and practices. One of the first (and almost immediate) changes made was the adoption of the revised screening tool

used for 9-1-1 callers by the Public County Safety and Sunstar dispatch centers. New questions are used to screen for patients for potential Ebola indicators. If the indicators are met, a “High Risk Alert” is activated and responding units are notified.

The Pinellas County Medical Director, Dr. Jameson, became actively involved in all responses that potentially met the Ebola indicators to ensure EMS personnel were properly prepared.

Pinellas County EMS and the Medical Director coordinated meetings with the fire agencies, Sunstar management, health department, Public County Safety and Sunstar dispatch centers, and surround-ing hospitals to discuss capabilities and develop an action plan for managing potential Ebola patients.

EMS personnel were provided with some “just in time” education and training regarding Ebola signs and symptoms along with a screening placard mounted in ambulances and FD units with the “ABC’s of Ebola Virus Disease” key points.

Isolation suits and masks were evaluated system-wide with additional purchases made. Remediation on applying and removing isolation suits and masks was provided to Sunstar personnel

Patient Care The approach to patient care is altered a bit for someone who has been deemed a risk for Ebola through the screening process. A limited number of EMS personnel will make actual contact with the patient. If high suspension of Ebola, EMS will dress in a Level C Tyvek Suit and Full Facemask (CDC guide-

lines). Each unit is outfitted with multiple sized suites and masks are provided to personnel at their start of shift. A surgical mask is placed on the patient ALS care if deemed essential, such as an IV, breathing treatment or intubation, shall be completed on scene. Attempts are made to “contain” patients with specialized trauma sheets.

Receiving facilities will be contacted as soon as EMS has identified a suspected Ebola case and then again when Sunstar is en-route to their location. Conference calls conducted by Pinellas County and the Medical Director with all surrounding hospitals have ensured that all facilities are prepared to receive potential Ebola pa-tients. Hospital personnel have indicated that they will perform transfer of patient care on the ambulance ramp.

We will continue to monitor the Ebola situation and will make changes as appropri-ate to protect crews and our community.

V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 3

No one anticipates an emergency and being transported to the hospital. Emergency injuries are unexpected, and your

home, while it may seem like the safest place, is often one of the most dangerous places. So how do you prepare for the

unexpected? Think about information that can help emergency responders do their job more efficiently, and quickly

notify your loved ones that you’ve experienced an emergency. Place your health and emergency contact information on

an easily accessible emergency information sheet. The paramedic or emergency medical technician can refer to this for

crucial information that can be relayed to the hospital and your emergency contact. This information sheet is especially

helpful to first responders if you’re unconscious, however, the stress of an emergency can make it difficult to recall and

relay information.

Some things to think about when completing your emergency information list include:

Information for emergency responders. Make a list of your medi-

cal conditions, allergies and current medications. Specify any im-

planted medical devices, such as a pacemaker, to alert emergency

responders about it. This list will allow the emergency responder to

help you in the best way possible, and avoid giving you medications

or treatment that might have a negative reaction. Emergency re-

sponders that transport you to the hospital will need your records,

including your date of birth and your insurance information. List any

medical aids, such as hearing aids, glasses or dentures, so emergency

responders know to bring them with you to the hospital. Indicate

your preference for a hospital, if you have one. Provide contact in-

formation for your next of kin or designated emergency contact per-

son so paramedics can notify that person about your emergency.

Medical Care Instructions. This section should address important

documents that outline your wishes for medical care. Notate if you

have a living will, which provides clear instructions about your wish-

es on life-saving measures, and where it is kept. A living will comes

into effect when you are unconscious or unable to communicate your

wishes. Indicate if you have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order

and where it is kept. Your DNR can’t be honored if it is not present.

Information on handling your personal affairs. A portion of the list should include information that will help your

emergency contact person take care of your children, pets and personal affairs while you are in the hospital. Include

contact information for others who should be notified and specify with whom we should leave your house key. If you

have children or pets, designate who should be contacted to take care of them in an emergency where you are unable to

communicate. It is very stressful for children to see someone sick or injured and to accompany their parent or caregiver

in an ambulance. First responders won’t leave children at home alone during an emergency. Choose an emergency

caregiver – preferably someone who is nearby and is familiar with your child, perhaps a family member – to take care

of him. Note any important information about your child including medications that he may need, where it is kept and

how much to give him. Pets should also be considered during your emergency planning. Include who will take care of

your pets while you’re in the hospital. Write down care and feeding instructions, veterinarian’s contact information,

and where you keep their food and medication. Please visit www.SUNSTAREMS.com to download this form.

Sunstar Launches New Emergency

Information Form for Public Use

12490 Ulmerton Road

Largo, FL 33774

Phone: (727) 582-2090

Fax: (727) 582-2249

On the web at www.sunstarems.com

Our Mission is "to provide compassionate

quality care and service built around the

needs of the patients and communities we

serve through effective partnerships."

Know someone who would enjoy this quarterly

newsletter? E-mail Ksterling@sunstarems.com

WANT TO VISIT SUNSTAR? Stop by for a tour or schedule a ride-a-long.

Mon.- Fri. 08:00am - 4:00pm

TO:

Community Newsletter

SUNSTAR STAFF HONORED WITH HCA’S 2014 EMS ALL STAR AWARDS

Partnering with community emergency

medical services (EMS), HCA Pinellas

Hospitals awarded the 7th annual 2014

EMS All Star Award to individuals who

show dedication and expertise in their

daily tasks while epitomizing HCA’s

Core values of service: dignity, respect,

honesty, fairness, loyalty, integrity, com-

passion and kindness. Congratulations to

Sunstar's 2014 HCA EMS All Star

Award recipients: Julia Watson, Josh

Brumwell, Lacy Sims & Alex Pajil. They

received their awards September 25th

from Anthony Degina, CEO of Largo

Medical Center and Dia Nichols, CEO of

Northside Hospital.

P A G E 5

Pinellas County releases RFP for

Sunstar Paramedics Ambulances Services

Pinellas County, acting as the EMS Authority, has released the “RFP” for

ambulance services for the management and EMS Services of Sunstar

Paramedics. Paramedics Plus has held the contract for the past 10 years

and has served this community to the highest standard in EMS.

Paramedics Plus will respond to this RFP in hopes of continuing to be the

EMS provider for Sunstar Paramedics.

Over the past 10 years, Sunstar Paramedics has accomplished the follow-

ing achievements under the management of Paramedics Plus:

Awarded the prestigious Florida Sterling Award in 2009 based on

Malcolm Baldrige management practices

Awarded the Florida Sterling Showcase Award for our “Pulse”

operational process

1 of 3 EMS Agencies in the World to acquire CAAS Accreditation for ambulance services, ACE

Accreditation for dispatch, and CAMTs Accreditation for Critical Care Transport

Awarded the “Pinnacle” EMS Award for innovation

Awarded the AAMS “Critical Care Transport Service” in 2011

Our employees have received over 70 awards for recognition at a local, state, and national level

including the “EMT of the Year’ for the United States

Maintained Patient Satisfaction over 95% for 911 Ambulance Services

Achieved 240 consecutive months of Contractual Compliance with Pinellas County including 911

ambulance response times

Increased employee satisfaction by 15% and has received the endorsement of our labor force

IAEP union to continue to be Sunstar’s EMS provider.

Developed our “Stay Alert/Stay Alive” campaign to

decrease pedestrian injuries in Pinellas County which

has one of the highest pedestrian injury rates

Provided EMS innovation and technology that is supe-

rior in EMS including the : Solar ambulance Axillary

power, Speedloader technology, Pulse Live Dispatch

and MARVLIS ambulance deployment

As the leader of this organization for the past 10 years, I

recognize that it has been the employees who have accom-

plished the many achievements of our organization and

have set high goals for themselves and Paramedics Plus.

The great employees of this company have made commitments to EMS and this community and

provide outstanding service to Pinellas County.

Mark Postma,

Chief Operating Officer