Countywide CARES Data
Eric Anderson sums up 2020 CARES data. Survival from hospital discharge at 16.7%,
down slightly from last year but not as dramatically as survival nationwide. County data
has third highest survival rate in country. Kronenfeld thanks Anderson for the work he's
been doing and to the providers for continuing to provide excellent service. Lang asks if
CARES allows them to compare themselves to departments of the same size. Anderson
asked for this, but there is no way to get that data right now. National data based on
agencies with at least 200 cardiac arrests a year. Lohmeier asks about the age
demographic and how much younger, Anderson shares approximately 4 years younger.
Lohmeier says HPCPR should definitely be continued but was wondering if there is more
work that can be done for preventative messaging - better diet, more exercise, etc.
Kronenfeld highlights the importance of bystander CPR and its effects on survival.
Lohmeier asks about sharing this data with PD since they are often first on scene.
Kronenfeld adds that DCEMS office is working on expanding the network of AEDs.
Protocol Update - Stroke/Stemi OHCA/Trauma Coordinator Meetings
Thought it would be a good idea to meet with Stemi coordinators, thought it would be
good to start regularly meeting with stroke and trauma coordinators as well. Meier asks
EMS liaisons on the call to send her contact information for who those people are within
their organizations. For general protocol update, first meeting with medical directors went
well. Another two meetings coming up to get through discussion on all the medications.
The goal is to have all the same medication in each protocol. Ultimate goal is
consistency to have medications the same, but Dane County EMS goal is still to have
one protocol for county agencies. The question is if DCEMS office should still have the
goal of protocol updates being finalized by January 1st of next year. WI scope of practice
updates will be coming out also, do we postpone to around July to include those
changes. Goal is to have updates finished by first of year, but decide based on state
whether or not to publish right away. Kronenfeld adds that the state discussion she's
heard have significant changes, would not want to publish protocols and then be behind
state updates. Meier shares that there is a link that has gone out to providers to give
feedback and there will be two town hall meetings for providers to share their thoughts.
Radio Report Update
Conversation came up to combine 800 radio and VHF radio in hospitals to avoid radio
reports coming in over each other. Instead, decision was made to train providers and
hospital staff first. Want to train providers to give same information over radio
consistently and quickly. DCEMS office reached out to hospitals EDs and asked what
information they would like to get over the radio. Meier shared the general guidelines of
what was agreed on. Alert colors were removed because it was determined that providers
interpret the colors differently and caused confusion. Conversation was had about
different trauma alerts vs color alerts and emphasis on training so all providers
understand the different levels. Meier to go back to work group to see if something other
than "red" would alert the ED.
EMS Week Update
DCEMS sat down with different hospitals and because of Covid decided to do a modified
acknowledgement for EMS personnel. Hospitals will be contributing funds to send a gift
card to every registered EMT in the county with a thank you card. Paul Hick asks if
hospitals are doing anything like treats or drinks. Meier says they are not, they all agreed
to go in on this one gift to send a unified message.
