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The Road Ahead
We’ve been getting calls about the pre-tests and the post-tests in the last few weeks as transition classes have started across Kansas. The primary question is, “Where are the right answers?” The short answer is, “The answers are in the instructor manual.”
But, the right answers constantly change. When we developed the curriculum, the American Heart Association was recommending a 95% oxygen saturation. Now, with the 2010 guidelines, they are recommending 94% oxygen saturation.
As someone who is not an EMS provider, my hope is that the search for the right answer will not end with the transition. Perhaps the right answer isn’t an absolute, perfect answer. Perhaps the right answer is the one that comes when professional providers make decisions based on current best practices, based on the best research, based on hours and hours of practice, based on what is best for this patient in this time and location.
I hope that the stewardship of EMS continue beyond the next few years of transition. Stewardship will capture the power of being a steward, a guardian, a diligent caretaker, a person worthy of trust, a servant.
Some of you are already into the EMT Transition process. For those who aren’t, but are thinking about how to simulate different medications, here are some ideas.
For NTG we are using Altoids Smalls which are placed into NTG bottles (after they are washed with soap and water and then dried out).
For Aspirin placebos there is nothing as good as Mini M&Ms. We use a baby aspirin bottle that has been washed out with soap and water and dried. (We watch carefully for students overdosing in the corner of the classroom . . . )
A word of caution. Wash those bottles out! We also ensure that people are told that if they have allergies (ASA is a common one) that they should not partake of the placebos!
If you have other ideas that you use, we’d like to hear them so they can be shared as well.
For those educators who have been asking us about updated AEMT Instructor Manuals and Student Manuals, we are still waiting on the State of Kansas and Board to finalize a new contract. Once that is finalized, we will begin work on making the modifications.
If you are planning to begin teaching now, we recommend that you focus on the portions that will not be changed.
We spent Saturday in Overland Park at Johnson County Community College teaching day one of the train the trainer for Region V. They stepped up to the plate to host one more session for those who missed out this fall. A great group of people!
Course Coordinators:
A new EMT Student Manual, version 2-1 was posted on the Coordinator site this evening.
If you have already printed the EMT Student Manual 2-0, there is an addendum that can simply be added to what you have. The addendum includes a new Master Checkoff Sheet and worksheets for Pulse Oximetry and NTG administration.
EMR and EMT version 2-1 files for Transition Coordinators have been posted to the shared site. An e-mail with further information was sent to Coordinators earlier this evening. Please e-mail us if you have questions.
Just a quick note to update everyone regarding the final updates for the transition courses. Look for the EMR and EMT sometime next week. I know we said we’d have it done by the 24th; but we got side tracked by family, Christmas, school events and having the transition airplane in the shop for an overhaul. We are working on it.
Transition Airplane Overhaul
The AEMT update will likely be a ways out. We still have not contracted to do the rework and I suspect that Board Staff is working to figure out exactly what needs to be done. The AEMT is in a fluid state.
On a very different note, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We had the pleasure of being border to border this fall and got to see a lot of great people. From all of us to you, continue to carve out time for meaning and celebration during this holiday season. Stay safe!
The transition is a complicated process. Moving approximately 8,000 people from an existing level to a new and higher level of practice requires attention to detail by individual instructors and coordinators.
I’ll use myself as an example. I can’t monitor quality in your classroom but I can in mine. As an instructor, my focus is on ensuring that I am teaching the transition bridge materials in a manner that meets what the State is asking of me, what my students need from me, what the subject requires, and with the end goal in mind that my students need to know the scope of practice to the same standard as every other certified provider at the same level in Kansas. By working to ensure this in my little corner of the world I help make the transition process successful. Your responsibility is the same.
The transition is an exciting time. For some, add to that excitement the word “scary.” This is not just for those needing to transition, but for those who are responsible for teaching them. Despite some fear mixed in with the excitement, this is a wonderful opportunity for educators at all levels to make a strong and long-lasting impact on EMS in Kansas.
Here are some of the opportunities presented by the Kansas EMS Transition. These were identified by persons in the coordinator training classes this fall. In random order:
- Update the skills of all Kansas EMS providers to a new, contemporary level.
- Throughout the transition timeframe, KBEMS is providing the continuing education curriculum package.
- Re-engage providers, including non-affiliated providers who will need to take the transition course.
- After the transition is complete, the Kansas provider will meet and exceed the National EMS Scope of Practice.
- All providers will deliver EMS care under medical director supervision and protocol.
- Review and update local protocols.
- Engage subject matter experts throughout the community including licensed physicians, physician assistants (PA’s), registered nurses (RN’s) and others in EMS training.
- Service Directors can lead by communicating and engaging with providers, medical directors, and others in communities.
If you’d like to add to the list, you’re invited to leave a comment on this post.
Like this:
If you are a Service Director or transition coordinator, you need to be talking with your Medical Director about the Kansas EMS transition. For Medical Directors, Bill 262 states that all providers must deliver EMS care under medical director supervision and protocol. This includes not only EMS agencies, but all providers of EMS services in the community including first responders, fire-based responders, and private industry responders.
The transition should include a review of the local scope of practice and required skills. Updated local protocols for each level will need to be put into place before providers are certified to begin practicing at the new levels.
