MEMS Challenge Coins & 25th Anniversary Artwork

MEMS’ Challenge Coins and 25th Anniversary Artwork are here!!!

The Challenge Coins are serialized (101 thru ???) and will be issued based upon current seniority.

The artwork, by Jim Mullenax, is specific to MEMS and was drawn in honor of our 25th Anniversary!

If you have been a full-time employee, in good standing for more than one year, you are eligible to receive these gifts. Employees who have not completed one year of full time employment must wait until their anniversary date to receive theirs.

These items will be available for pick-up from Lee Harper beginning this Thursday, July 16, 2009.

110/12 Volt A/C System

As you know cooling a unit is quite the task these days, especially when you add the problem with not being able to idle the unit all the time. We are beginning the process of moving some units around to help combat this problem.

Plugging the unit in, even in the summer
The Chevy units are not able to be idled for long periods of time. There is a new exhaust system that actually clogs up and causes the unit to run at reduced power if the unit idles too long. This could be quite a problem when given an emergency. To combat this we began to move to a 110/12 Volt A/C system a few years ago. This means, that when you plug it into a shore line, the A/C as well as the heat works. We are moving these units to the outlying stations during the summer months, some of the units will remain in the city. The goal is to have all our fleet equipment with a system like this to reduce idling time, and heat problems.

We are having signs made for the interior as well as the exterior to remind you to plug in the truck to keep it cool.
Unit 507 has a generator on it. We will be placing it on a 12 hour city car fulltime to test its ability to reduce idle time. This unit has its own unique procedure to be followed.

Setting the high idle
When you do have to idle a truck on scene, be sure to always set your emergency brake which enables the high idle. This helps the unit cool, as well as reduces the strain on the alternator. Failure to do this is causing some real issues. So you will know, the high idle causes the fan to run faster, causing the engine to run cooler, I know it sounds like it is going to blow up, but it really is better for the unit.

Idling at the hospitals
While I am talking about idling, the hospitals are asking us once again, to kill the units when in their ER bay. Our noise and exhaust are causing a problem in their building. Please respect this wish.


The following units have a 110/12 volt A/C system
126, 136, 137, 138, 228, 232, 415, 416, 420, 425, 502, 504, 513, 514, 519, 522, 609

5.11 Polo Shirts

Many of you have already made the switch to the 5.11 polo shirts (it’s the style w/ the pen pocket on the left sleeve). The polos have held up very well and has become the predominate polo ordered lately. Because of these issues, I have spoke w/ Greg about making it our official uniform polo shirt. Greg agreed and approved for us to make the switch. So, MEMS made a purchase of approx 800 polo shirts that’s (navy and long and short sleeve). The polo shirts are being embroidered right now and should be ready for orders to be filled next week. If you have ordered polos within the last week or so, give me a just a few more days, and you’ll be ready to go. If you have any questions, let me know. By the way, you can order your polo shirts on line through the MEMS Company Store, so you don’t have to fill out paperwork and leave on my desk, you can order them from the comfort of your house.

Company Store is up and running, so have a look…….
10 Minute Fitness is available, so get your butt in shape………
5.11 polos are the new polos, so update your shirts, if they need to be…….


As always, if you have any questions, please see Louis

10 Minute Fitness

I have all of the detail worked out and we now have an arrangement with 10 Minute Fitness centers for our exercise program. 10 Minute Fitness has 2 locations 1 in Little Rock (hwy 10) and the other in North Little Rock (by McCain). The store have 24 hrs access during the week and open approx 16 hours each day on Saturday and Sunday. 10 Minute Fitness has all of the modern conveniences for weight and cardio training.

The arrangement is: 10 Minute Fitness will wave the $50.00 sign on fee and MEMS will payroll deduct the membership dues which are $10.00 per month (so you’re looking at $5.00 per pay period) that’s not a bad deal at all considering the resources that will be available to you. If you would like anything additional (i.e. tanning, personal training, they are available but you’ll have to work those option directly w/ 10 Minute Fitness). To get started, see Louis to fill out.

MEMS Company Store

Some of you may know and some may not, but MEMS now has an On-Line Company Store. The store is up and running and open for business. You can find it on line @ at our web address www.metroems.org. You’ll the see the “Company Store” box, just click on it and away you go. If you’ve ever ordered on line before, the store will look very familiar, if you haven’t ordered on line before, it’ll very easy to follow. Its important to know that we no long keep items like t-shirts, ball caps toboggans, etc on hand here at sta.1 so plan accordingly.

All you have to do is go through the items available for purchase, make you selections, and check out. When you check out, YOU WILL NOT BE ASKED FOR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION. Your order will be sent to my email, and I’ll get your order taken care. I will forward your order to store that warehouse’s our inventory, and the order will be here the same day or the very next day. The system has been in place for a couple weeks and has been working fine. Items that are approved Uniform Allowance will be posted to your uniform allowance, and items that are payroll deduct, will be deducted from your payroll check. If you have any questions, please see me. Also, fyi this will be order method for the sweat shirt order we use to do once a year. These type of items will be available year round.

Link to store

New Glucose Meters Coming

You will be seeing a new glucose meter on your ambulance in the next week. We decided to evaluate a new meter for several reasons and found the following differences:


a). Current meter takes 20 seconds to produce glucose result, Contour (new meter) takes only 5 seconds, Blood sample can be obtained from a capillary or venous site.



b). Current meter requires a code strip (to calibrate) and it must be checked regularly, Contour doesn’t require any type of coding or calibrating of the meter before the strips are added.



c). Current meter hi/low display is 500-20 range, Contour blood glucose range is 600 -10 range

The cost are the same between the meters. We believe after the field test, and the differences noted above the Contour meter will better fit our needs.

It functions the same as the old with the exceptions of.
1. No need to calibrate
2. The strips are stored in a small bottle and not packaged individually

NOTE- venous blood or capillary blood is acceptable to this unit

Great Work

I noticed two things in reviewing reports that I want to say job well done.


Response Times for June
While I am still premature, I wanted to acknowledge the effort that is being made to make our response times. While I know that there are several factors that the crew does not have any control over, there are several that you do such as reaction times, turn times, knowledge of where you are going etc, , and overall everyone seems to be managing these better.

Driving Report
I noticed on the latest driving report that we have improved significantly in backing with a spotter. As you know backing accidents are one of our largest preventable expenses.


I know I get busy sometimes and miss the opportunity to say job well done and Thank You, I did not want to miss this opportunity.

Great Job!


Greg

Pictures Available

We have posted some of the pictures of the anniversary banquet on line. The MEMS history Documentary is in final edit, I will let you know when it is available. Thank you again for making it a fun day!
Greg

on-line album

Swine Flu

The new strain of flu has been a part of our news over the past few days. We are meeting with our area health depart staff to monitor any activity form this strain in Arkansas. Let me remind you that we treat this threat like we would any other air or droplet borne exposure.

The following is an excerpt from a Health Department release from Dallas County today:


1. Any providers approaching an individual who appears sick with a fever AND who has a cough OR difficulty breathing should first place a mask on themselves,including eye protection, and should wear gloves. The mask should preferably be one that offers protection at an N95 mask level or higher.

2. After protecting themselves with the mask, eye protection, and gloves, providers should place a similar mask on the patient, if it can be tolerated. It is understandable that patients with shortness of breath may not tolerate such a mask, especially if oxygen is being administered or possibly CPAP.

Nebulize through the Boussignac CPA

Yes you can………

Nebulize through the Boussignac CPAP System

Congratulations Carla!

Carla Kelley was honored on April 11th, 2009, as the Faulkner County Veterans of Foreign Wars Paramedic of the Year. Carla was honored for her dedication to EMS, much of it in Faulkner County, her strong skills, and her compassion for her patients. She was a unanimous choice by the Foxtrots.

North Pulaski

I don't know what those crews are up to in North Pulaski, but here is a note and few pics from them.....

Of all the things that are on the blog, the goat did not make it? Not sure how I should take that. He could be one of our most famous future employees William "Billy" A. Goat.

Gratitude from a PT's family

Wife of a patient express her sincere gratitude to Medics Terra McDougald and Adam Weiser. PT's wife said that the CPAP is a wonderful device that helped her husband so much. Got his Pulse Ox saturation from the low 80’s to the high 90’s by the time he got to the hospital. He did not have to be intubated, but is still in ICU Dx with CHF.


She said “I will stand on the curb and clap for MEMS whenever they go by our home!”



Great Job Terra and Adam.

325 (soon to be 425) update

By the way 228 is now at Excellance, we are still working on the cause of the fire.

Tech tips from the shop

We already know that in our profession basic skill save lives, the same rule applies to our units.

I have been meeting with the shop, they have put together a few tips on starting, plugging in the unit etc... They are all basic skills, however we have had some problems with the mastering of these basic skills.

Did you know that not waiting on the glow plugs to heat up before starting the unit can cause damage to the glow plugs as well as the unit? The result is poor or no starting, or poor performance when it does start, not to mention the damage to parts that must be replaced.

Did you know that putting gas in a diesel engine cost an average of $500.00 to fix, assuming you don't ruin the engine?

Employees, please log on to the medic access part of the MEMS web site to view the video.

http://medic.metroems.org

Update on 325

A few pictures on the status of 325 (soon to be 425)

Latisha Johnson

Our own Latisha was honored as one of Arkansas’ Stars of life recently. This is an honor given out by the Arkansas Ambulance Association. She spent the day at the State Capitol interacting with Legislators, and touring the Capitol as well as participating in a luncheon in the Stars honor. Latisha, we are very proud of you !

Cot Inspections

We are in the process of bringing in all the cots in the fleet. We are doing a decontamination as well as inspection/repair as well as replacing any worn cot straps. I am reminding everyone that the chest straps are a requirement on our cots and should be used to restrain your patients.

We are also placing a “Mega Mover” on all cots. Its functions like a draw sheet on steroids. It can hold up to 1500 pounds. It is stored at the foot of the cot under the mattress. We have now placed it on the check off and major sheets.

Auto Vents in

We have received the shipment of the Autovent 3000. This means that all transport vents will be the same. All Paramedics should have received an in service in the last mandatory classes that were held. This is almost exactly like the Autovent that we have had for the last several years. If you need any additional in-service, please see your Supervisor.

A while back we adopted the phonetic alphabet to describe the different positions in the company. Mike=Major, Charlie= Captain, Hotel=Hazmat etc…

I think sometimes the new folks (and some of the old) are having a little trouble getting the concept ;-)