Another excellent example of brevity in Lake. The paramedic delivers all the essentials in under one minute. (Please note, there is no PCR to accompany this call.)
CALL OF THE MONTH - MARCH 2002
Posed with a combative patient with an evolving presentation the paramedic delivers a clear, pertinent report, and provides the base hospital physician with a clear picture of this complicated call.
CALL OF THE MONTH - FEBRUARY 2002 (long download time, best heard on hospital computer)
By convention the term "MCI" has been applied to any call that "overwhelms the available resources." After consultation with our medical communities, North Coast EMS elected to adopt a more objective definition. Responders are now asked to run any call with 3 or more potential victims (see North Coast EMS Policy # 2506), as an MCI. The principle objective of this decision is to increase familiarity with the MCI protocol (importantly conducting all field to hospital communications through one responder and one MICN), ICS and SEMS.
This call occurred on Hwy 101 between Fortuna and Eureka and only includes 3 patients. Though the paramedics on this call deal effectively with the accident victims, two different hospitals are involved, and the MICN's job is complicated by receiving information from two different sources. Though both reports are clear, it is likely a single report from a single paramedic would have streamlined the decision making process. (Please note, there is no PCR to accompany this or other MCIs.)
CALL OF THE MONTH - JANUARY 2002(long download time, best heard on hospital computer)
Multiple Casualty Incidents (MCIs), and disaster preparation and response are on everyone's mind this year. This is the first of three recent MCIs. This call illustrates the difficulty in trying to assess the number of patients and the extent of injuries during an when many possible victims are involved. It also serves as a reminder that the hospital and MICN may be confronted with competing demands for their attention from other simultaneous calls. The performance of responders and the communication with the MICN at Sutter Coast Hospital was well done. Communication might have been enhanced by having the first responding unit focus on evaluating the scene and reporting their findings to other arriving units, and by assuming responsibility for all radio traffic with the receiving hospital. Bill Janssen, PCNC for Sutter Coast Hospital notes that "communication was hampered by a propane leak which necessitated turning off the power to the house. Also personal cell phones were unusable due to low batteries." (Please note, there is no PCR to accompany this or other MCIs.)
CALL OF THE MONTH - DECEMBER 2001
Though the paramedic's report is nearly indecipherable, the MICN does an remarkable job of distilling the essential information. No more information needs to be exchanged. (Please note, there is no PCR to accompany this call.)
CALL OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER 2001
Another excellent demonstration of brevity in Lake County. (Please note, there is no PCR to accompany this call.)
CALL OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER 2001
A boating accident in Lake County. Though the complexity of the scene might suggest an elaborate description of the mechanism, the paramedic focuses on the essentials. (Please note, there is no PCR to accompany this call.)
CALL OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2001
Stab wound to the abdomen. Good assessment. Remember that a very short blade can reach any major organ when moving with enough force.
CALL OF THE MONTH - AUGUST 2001
Pertinent report focused on rapid transport and pain relief for the patient who is a minor.
GSW to the head with little information on scene. Paramedic keeps the information brief, clarifying the lack of history.
Calm, clear, concise field save.
Though not technically an MCI (the two responding ambulances and first responders have adequate resources to deal effectively with the scene they encounter), the radio communications on this muti-victim MVA are exceptional.
A field save to rival any. This call highlights many medevac issues. After receiving a kidney from each of two brothers, the patient is expected to make a full recovery.
Difficult call. Clear, pertinent report. Thanks to Bill Janssen, PCNC, Sutter-Coast Hospital for selecting this excellent call.
CALL OF THE MONTH-FEBRUARY 2001
The paramedic coolly evaluates his patient's changing status. Though the situation is critical, this is apparent only from the paramedic's words rather than from his tone. Our thanks to Mad River Community Hospital's new PCNC, Ed Nickerson, for providing us with this example of professionalism. You will want to read to the end of the narrative.
CALL OF THE MONTH-JANUARY 2001
A complicated trauma call handled "by the numbers" and communicated
clearly to the hospital. Thanks again to Judith Baird for selecting
this excellent call.
CALL OF THE MONTH-DECEMBER 2000
This call stood out for the attendant's clear calm exchange with the hospital while clearly still engaged in treating this critical trauma victim.
CALL OF THE MONTH-NOVEMBER 2000
How to manage a patient who is actively choking but still moving air well? This is a good example. The radio report is concise and pertinent.
CALL OF THE MONTH-OCTOBER 2000
This "Triple A" occurred in Eureka. With limited information from the patient, the paramedic provided an assessment picture that clearly suggested the patient's underlying condition. Ultimately the patient was pronounced dead in the ER.
CALL OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2000
This excellent report describing an "Auto versus Pedestrian" was selected by PCNC Annie Konkler from General Hospital in Eureka.
CALL OF THE MONTH - AUGUST 2000
The August call occurred in Lake County. We would like to thank PCNC Maureen O'Dea for selecting this recording. Originally reported as a vehicle fire, multiple agencies responded to the incident and dealt effectively with a rapidly changing scenario. Clear, concise information was offered to the receiving hospital and the questions concerning the etiology of the patient's chief complaint were not forgotten. Listen to this cardiac arrest.
Our very first call, for July 2000, is an outstanding example of a paramedic providing a brief but precise patient report under difficult circumstances.
This Gun Shot Wound occurred in Fortuna.
Note: Downloading the radio report may take a few minutes. In the future we hope to accelerate this process.