Seven months after its takeover from Audrain Medical Center, the Audrain Ambulance District is already receiving recognition for superb service.
The pediatric subcommittee of the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services on Thursday recognized AAD administration and staff for its commitments "above and beyond" state regulations for pediatric equipment and protocols to provide the best care to pediatric patients in the state.
To receive the recognition, emergency vehicles must contain a required list of pediatric care equipment recommended by the federal EMS for Children program. Areas of award achievement include ongoing education and training, community service, technical excellence and qualified staffing.
A member of the pediatric subcommittee two weeks ago inspected AAD's vehicles and distributed blue stickers, signifying the vehicles’ readiness to offer emergency pediatric care.
There are 216 ambulance and fire based EMS departments in Missouri. As of December 2009, there were 38 departments in the state that have participated in the EMS-C program. “Since then, we know that there have been others that have gone through the certification process – including Audrain. But at this time, the exact numbers are not available,” said Sam Vance, the EMS outreach coordinator of trauma services for the Children's Hospital in St. Louis.
The recognition is part of an effort by the advisory council and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Bureau of EMS to promote the most satisfactory pediatric care in Missouri.
"The primary goal is that each child in the state of Missouri receive the right care at the right time with the right provider who has all the right equipment readily available and is educated in its' use," is what the state advisory committee strives for, according to an outline of its history, purpose and intent.
The committee's signature blue sticker, "shows the public that its ambulance district is committed to doing what's right for kids," according to Vance.
"It shows they have met or exceeded the minimum standard for what the pediatric subcommittee or emergency medical services for children has set forth as a guideline that all ambulance services should be carrying," Vance further noted.
Though the award may be honoring the ambulance district, AAD Administrator Kevin Payne said, the true beneficiaries are the communities that share in the recognition.
"This is absolutely true," Payne said. "Without the community support, we wouldn't be able to do what we do.
"It's our commitment that we have to the district and the county to make sure we are trained at the highest level."
Audrain currently has available two Advanced Life Support ambulances 24 hours a day, with a third backup ambulance if needed. The district averages about 170 calls a month. Last year, emergency crews responded to 81 calls for pediatric patients alone – which averages about 150 to 180 calls annually. About 1/4 of the equipment on the ambulances is pediatric specific, with additional equipment that is adaptable to pediatrics, Payne said.
"This equipment is specialized specifically for kids," Payne said. Which includes more advanced life equipment, and detailed specific equipment for pediatrics that ranges from the simple neonatal head warmer to the more advanced airway intubation equipment and advanced drug therapy as well.
To Payne, this recognition says a lot about the district and the staff.
"This is an outstanding recognition for the district. We have been recognized by Children's Hospital, one of the leading children's hospitals in the country, and by the state’s pediatric subcommittee, for going above and beyond what is required by the state in pediatric care," Payne said. "The staff plays a major role in pediatric care. Paramedics employed by the district have Pediatric Advanced Life Support as well as Advanced Cardiac Life Support. As the director it is my responsibility to provide the paramedics and EMTs all the necessary equipment and continuing education they need to provide exceptional care to all of our patients."
Payne said the future of the district looks bright, and as a team, they will continue to strive to be better than what is "required." He said the district has a 10-year master plan and at the rate of what has been accomplished in the last 6 months, he hopes to achieve these goals in 3 to 5 years. Training is a major area of the future plans for the district.
Ambulances are rolling emergency rooms and EMS has become extremely advanced. The district is currently awaiting its paramedic level training entity licensure from the state, which should be in effect next month. A grant written through Moberly Area Community College – with a major contribution from the district’s Supervisor/Training Officer Lori Motley to teach Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate – has been awarded, and will be taught here in Mexico. The number one goal for the district is to have a professional, dedicated and highly trained ambulance district.
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Seven months after its takeover from Audrain Medical Center, the Audrain Ambulance District is already receiving recognition for superb service.
The pediatric subcommittee of the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services on Thursday recognized AAD administration and staff for its commitments "above and beyond" state regulations for pediatric equipment and protocols to provide the best care to pediatric patients in the state.
To receive the recognition, emergency vehicles must contain a required list of pediatric care equipment recommended by the federal EMS for Children program. Areas of award achievement include ongoing education and training, community service, technical excellence and qualified staffing.
A member of the pediatric subcommittee two weeks ago inspected AAD's vehicles and distributed blue stickers, signifying the vehicles’ readiness to offer emergency pediatric care.
There are 216 ambulance and fire based EMS departments in Missouri. As of December 2009, there were 38 departments in the state that have participated in the EMS-C program. “Since then, we know that there have been others that have gone through the certification process – including Audrain. But at this time, the exact numbers are not available,” said Sam Vance, the EMS outreach coordinator of trauma services for the Children's Hospital in St. Louis.
The recognition is part of an effort by the advisory council and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Bureau of EMS to promote the most satisfactory pediatric care in Missouri.
"The primary goal is that each child in the state of Missouri receive the right care at the right time with the right provider who has all the right equipment readily available and is educated in its' use," is what the state advisory committee strives for, according to an outline of its history, purpose and intent.
The committee's signature blue sticker, "shows the public that its ambulance district is committed to doing what's right for kids," according to Vance.
"It shows they have met or exceeded the minimum standard for what the pediatric subcommittee or emergency medical services for children has set forth as a guideline that all ambulance services should be carrying," Vance further noted.
Though the award may be honoring the ambulance district, AAD Administrator Kevin Payne said, the true beneficiaries are the communities that share in the recognition.
"This is absolutely true," Payne said. "Without the community support, we wouldn't be able to do what we do.
"It's our commitment that we have to the district and the county to make sure we are trained at the highest level."
Audrain currently has available two Advanced Life Support ambulances 24 hours a day, with a third backup ambulance if needed. The district averages about 170 calls a month. Last year, emergency crews responded to 81 calls for pediatric patients alone – which averages about 150 to 180 calls annually. About 1/4 of the equipment on the ambulances is pediatric specific, with additional equipment that is adaptable to pediatrics, Payne said.
"This equipment is specialized specifically for kids," Payne said. Which includes more advanced life equipment, and detailed specific equipment for pediatrics that ranges from the simple neonatal head warmer to the more advanced airway intubation equipment and advanced drug therapy as well.
To Payne, this recognition says a lot about the district and the staff.
"This is an outstanding recognition for the district. We have been recognized by Children's Hospital, one of the leading children's hospitals in the country, and by the state’s pediatric subcommittee, for going above and beyond what is required by the state in pediatric care," Payne said. "The staff plays a major role in pediatric care. Paramedics employed by the district have Pediatric Advanced Life Support as well as Advanced Cardiac Life Support. As the director it is my responsibility to provide the paramedics and EMTs all the necessary equipment and continuing education they need to provide exceptional care to all of our patients."
Payne said the future of the district looks bright, and as a team, they will continue to strive to be better than what is "required." He said the district has a 10-year master plan and at the rate of what has been accomplished in the last 6 months, he hopes to achieve these goals in 3 to 5 years. Training is a major area of the future plans for the district.
Ambulances are rolling emergency rooms and EMS has become extremely advanced. The district is currently awaiting its paramedic level training entity licensure from the state, which should be in effect next month. A grant written through Moberly Area Community College – with a major contribution from the district’s Supervisor/Training Officer Lori Motley to teach Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate – has been awarded, and will be taught here in Mexico. The number one goal for the district is to have a professional, dedicated and highly trained ambulance district.
