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PEMS Announces the 2022 Regional EMS Award Winners

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The Peninsulas Emergency Medical Services (PEMS) Council, Inc., is proud to announce the 2022 Regional EMS award winners recognizing the outstanding achievements and notable work of individuals, agencies, organizations and facilities who provide emergency medical services in the PEMS region (Peninsula, Middle Peninsula, and Northern Neck).  After a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PEMS held its annual Regional EMS Awards Ceremony at Busch Gardens to give special recognition to our nominees and award winners.  

This year’s theme EMS Strong: Rising to the Challenge is a relevant message for those in the EMS profession and reminds us that every day we are faced with so many new challenges in our lives and yet we still rise above them all and continue to respond, support, and care for the needs of our communities.  EMS Strong reminds us that strength in our field can be found in a variety of ways: bravery, self-sacrifice, passion and dedication.  Those in EMS are challenged to find both physical and mental strength daily.

Epinephrine Shortage - Creating an Epinephrine 0.1mg/mL Syringe 

Creating an Epinephrine 0.1mg/mL Syringe - Regional hospitals are experiencing a shortage of pre-filled epinephrine syringes.  Because of this, the pharmacies may reduce the number of pre-filled syringes from 8 to 0 inside Medication Kits being restocked. A card will be placed in the outer pouch of a Medication Kit if it is affected.  Please note that there is still a 30cc epinephrine 1mg/mL multi-dose vial in the Medication Kit.  You can prepare epinephrine 0.1mg/mL by expending 1 cc from a pre-filled 10 cc saline syringe and drawing 1 cc of epinephrine 1mg/mL from the multi-dose vial. As always, have your partner verify your medication prior to administering and label your syringe!

Please watch the following PEMS-produced training video on how to  appropriately create the correct dosage for an epinephrine 0.1mg/mL dose.  The video may be found on PEMS' YouTube channel at:  https://youtu.be/EzNXSgOd4dE

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An Important Announcement From PEMS

In a collaborative effort, the Peninsulas EMS Council (“PEMS”) has worked to provide a uniform guidance document to limit the effects and spread of the coronavirus in the region. Through constant monitoring of CDC guidelines and the Virginia Department of Health guidelines, the Peninsulas EMS Council has developed the PEMS COVID-19 Viral Respiratory Pathogen Exposure Reduction Procedure. 

This procedure has been approved by the PEMS Operation Medical Director, Dr. Lawson, and has also been reviewed and approved by Dr. Dodd, Chair of the PEMS Medical Advisory Committee, and by Dr. Justis, Chair of the PEMS Protocols, Policies, & Procedures Committee.

This procedure is published on the PEMS website both in the “Latest News” Section and in the “Newly Released COVID-19” section.  The PEMS COVID-19 Viral Respiratory Pathogen Exposure Reduction Procedure document may be downloaded from either the “Latest News” at http://www.peninsulas.vaems.org/ or from the “COVID-19 Updates Section” at  http://www.peninsulas.vaems.org/covid-19/covid-19-updates.

The PEMS Protocol App has also been updated so that providers may reference it in the field.  Please make certain that you update the app regularly.

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Still Seek Help in an Emergency

While all of us are being asked to stay home to protect ourselves during this COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to know that if you have a time- sensitive medical emergency you need to get help immediately. That means going to the Emergency Room (ER) right away.

So what is a time-sensitive emergency? A heart attack, stroke or traumatic injury. In all of these cases, time is of the essence and you need to seek medical attention immediately. Don’t let fear delay you from getting the medical help you need.

Here’s what you need to do if you are having a time-sensitive emergency:

First call 9-1-1, the dispatcher is trained to help you decide if your medical emergency warrants a trip to the ER. If it does and you can’t drive yourself to the hospital, then an EMS agency will come pick you up and take you there. All EMS agencies are prepared and able to provide SAFE treatment and transport to the hospital. The Regional EMS Councils continue to work closely with the hospitals to ensure SAFE care through the transition into the emergency department.

Your visit to the ER will be different because of COVID-19. You will be screened before you even go into the emergency room and given a mask to protect you from possible exposure to the virus. All of the dedicated medical personnel you meet will be dressed in appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and because of the virus hospitals are not allowing visitors to come with you. Taking care of you and your immediate medical need is what the health care system was designed to do.

So while staying home is the best way to prevent COVID-19, when it comes to a medical emergency seeking help immediately is always the best and safest way to go.

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