PRB Changes
Please see the linked Change Order regarding updates and changes to the Primary Response Bags in both North and South Divisions. There are substantive changes so please read carefully. Crews may be asked to assist with the change process over the next few days, please communicate with your shift supervisor for details. Changes can be found here.
Ambulance Gurney
Please do not raise the ambulance gurney while it is still in the vehicle. This results in re-latching that creates a potential patient safety issue. If you are mopping, remove the gurney from the ambulance completely. Please reach out to Steve Ladue or Eric Thomas with questions.
Check & Inject Kits
Please note that the plastic boxes in which the Check and Inject supplies are kept are reusable, and should not be thrown away after use. We are no longer able to get these boxes, and there are only four left in reserve stock. So please reuse what we have. The contents can be restocked by any provider from available stock, and the box resealed with the expiration of the next item (usually epinephrine). Boxes should have alcohol preps, Band-Aids, 23 gauge needle, epinephrine 1 mg / 1 ml... read more
Seal Color Coding
Currently, we are stocking a number of colored seals for various kits/bags in our loadout. To avoid confusion, we will attempt to remain true to this scheme so we don't run out, and we know what each symbolizes: Blue - RSI Kit Seals - blue seals should only be used on RSI kits and have an orange sticker on them with the expiration of the first medication - usually Rocuronium. Yellow Pull-Tight Seals - cabinets in the ambulances, Peds Kits, MTKs, etc. Basically anything NOT ALS. Green... read more
Annual Physicals- June 4th
The signup sheet is available in dispatch. If you do not sign up for a slot for June 4th, it will be your responsibility to reach out to Northern Star and make an appointment to have your annual physical done.
RSI Kits & Expiration Dates
Rocuronium is the only drug in the RSI Kit that actually needs to be refrigerated. It can be used up to sixty (60) days after reaching room temperature. We are facing issues when kits are taken out of vehicles, as sometimes the warm kits are being put in a refrigerator, sometimes cold kits are not being marked "WARM" when placed in vehicles without fridges. Please make every effort to put an orange circle sticker on warm kits with WARM printed on it and the date sixty days from the day it was... read more
Medication Expiration Date Extensions
As a result of ongoing availability issues, Dr. Cushman has extended the expiration dates on a number of medications. This is based on information received from the Food and Drug Administration and certain pharmaceutical manufacturers. At present the ONLY medications this effects are Epinephrine and Atropine. • Epinephrine 1 mg / 10 ml prefilled syringes (box) and 1 mg / 1 ml vials (for anaphylaxis) will be extended six (6) months and nine (9) months respectively past the date printed on the... read more
BG Control Testing
Starting February 1st we will begin regular control testing of all glucometers in use at CHS. The process is very simple, and involves placing a drop of control solution on a non-porous surface (not your finger) and drawing it into the test strip as you would blood. The result is checked against the control range on the bottle of test strips. Control testing will be done with the monthly bag checks at the beginning of each month, whenever a new bottle of test strips is put into use, and in... read more
Patient Signature Clarifications
There has been some confusion regarding which patients can sign for themselves on our Claim Authorization Form. DC Jarrett, AC Manzo, Lt. Flickner, and Billing Manager Cook met and came up with the following in an effort to clarify some of the guidelines. While we know GCS is not the best scale for these purposes, it is the only one we have at this point. Every patient with a GCS of 15 regardless of medical history, i.e. dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc... shall sign in section 1 of... read more
ECD Observation Shifts
IMPORTANT: See below for an attached PDF. Please print this form and bring it with you to your shift. Once signed/completed, return it (paper or PDF) to Gabrielle Hergert. ECD is located at 321 West Main Street, Rochester NY 14608. This is at the intersection of West Main & Broad/Ford Streets. For those that are familiar, it is directly across the street from the original Nick Tahou’s. Parking is available in front of the building. Enter off West Main St. across from... read more