Lynchburg 911 learns new technique

Dispatchers in Clarion County

have been trained and certified to

do this for several years now.

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Emergency dispatchers in Lynchburg can now talk 911 callers through basic medical instructions.

It, in essence, turns the caller into a first responder, able to provide possibly life-saving care while paramedics are on their way.

For nearly a year, Lynchburg’s Emergency Communications Center has been training dispatchers how to provide CPR and other medical instruction over the phone. Lynchburg’s emergency medical dispatching system launched earlier this month.

“It’s changing the way you do things pretty drastically, from what we were doing before,” said Emergency Communications Director William Aldrich.

The new computer system provides scripted questions based on the nature of the 911 call, then brings up medical suggestions based on the yes or no answers, and descriptors given by the caller.

Dispatcher Matt Closs worked through a sample call involving a patient with chest pains.

Questions related to drugs and choking helped to determine the probable cause was a heart attack.

“If it’s a narcotic or something, that could contribute to the chest pains,” Closs said.

Other questions — is the patient clammy or changing colors — help determine what emergency vehicles to send and how quickly they should get there.

In cases like a heart attack, the computer brings up set of questions to see whether the dispatcher should tell the caller to give the victim an aspirin.

“Those extra minutes that we get when we’re able to give CPR instructions and things like that, I think they’re beneficial,” Closs said.

The department worked closely with Lynchburg Fire and EMS to determine procedures. Aldrich said the system has been beneficial for both the dispatchers and the first responders.

“We’re all on the same page. They know the questions we’re asking. They’re seeing the results of the questions.”

He said between thirty and forty percent of 911 calls involve some type of medical situation where the new system has already proven useful.

The idea was discussed before, and is used in other area agencies, but Aldrich said money and staffing were concerns for Lynchburg.

Grant money — to the tune of $112,509 — gave the center the funds it needed, Aldrich said, and then it was just a matter of running the staff through multiple training programs without leaving the phones understaffed.

“Each dispatcher had to first be CPR trained and certified. That was a prerequisite for the (emergency medical dispatch) class which was three days, then being tested and certified,” Aldrich said.

“Then there was an additional four hour class that each took just to learn how the software worked. On top of that, the supervisor had to take additional instruction on quality assurance reports.”

Since the system has been in place, Aldrich said, one benefit has been better coordination between dispatchers and fire and rescue crews on what equipment is needed on a call.

Without the system, he said, “You tend to send more equipment and personnel than perhaps you would need to, because of the unknown factor.”

Closs said he’s always seen his job as being a help to people, but with the new system in place, it’s made that feeling even stronger.

“Now we’re able to help a citizen who’s with a patient immediately, rather than having to wait for an EMT to get on scene,” he said.

“You’re able to do more for the community, you’re able to do more for the patients who are calling in. You feel more confident.”�

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911 Dispatcher Position

911 DISPATCHER

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Level 3, Part-time, on call as needed.

If you love helping people,�this is the job for you.

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Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

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Must have�NO criminal record.

Apply by completing the county application�at www.co.clarion.pa.us or call Brianna�at the Human Resources Office. 814-226-4000, ext. 2707 or email bkline@co.clarion.pa.us.

Deadline February 10, 2012

Winter Safety

Cold Weather Health Conditions

Like Frostbite & Hypothermia

Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.

Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.

Recognizing Frostbite

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin -- frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:

• a white or grayish-yellow skin area
• skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
• numbness
  

A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What to Do
If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.
If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:

• Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
• Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes -- this increases the damage.
• Immerse the affected area in warm -- not hot -- water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
• Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
• Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
• Don't use a heating pad, heat lamp or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider. It is a good idea to take a first aid and emergency resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for cold-weather health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.

Hypothermia

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won't be able to do anything about it.
Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.

Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won't be able to do anything about it.

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Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

Victims of hypothermia are most often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; and (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods -- the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.

Recognizing Hypothermia
Warnings signs of hypothermia

Adults:

• shivering / exhaustion
• confusion / fumbling hands
• memory loss / slurred speech
• drowsiness

Infants:

• bright red, cold skin
• very low energy

What to Do
If you notice any of these signs, take the person's temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency -- get medical attention immediately.
If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:

• Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
• If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
• Warm the center of the body first -- chest, neck, head, and groin -- using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
• Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages.
• Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
  

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.

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