October 2022

health.uconn.edu/ems

Hospitals like UConn John Dempsey Hospital that have perfusion imaging capabilities can conduct a rapid perfusion study to show what areas of the brain have been permanently damaged (the infarct core) and what areas of brain tissue (the penumbra) can be salvaged by intervention. Those patients with a relatively larger penumbra can benefit from thrombectomy. This imaging modality helps select those patients who may best benefit from thrombectomy. Unlike TPA, thrombectomy can be performed up to 24 hours after last known well-time.

UConn John Dempsey Hospital sponsored the Farmington Rotary Club's 4th Annual Farmington First Responders Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, September 9, 2022. We at UConn Health are very proud of the all the EMS responders (ambulance, police, fire, dispatch) who help keep our community safe. Here at UConn, the care for many of our patients begins when first responders reach the patient's side. Their skills and compassion contribute greatly to patient outcomes. Thank you for all you do!

UConn John Dempsey Hospital is partnering with the Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services and the Farmington Valley Public Health Department to sponsor the Naloxone Leave-Behind Program, where local EMS services provide an overdose prevention kit (naloxone, first aid instructions, guide to local treatment services) to a patient, friends or family members following an opioid overdose resuscitation. With opioid overdose deaths still rising in Connecticut and across the nation, EMS has a vital role to play in providing compassionate care and harm reduction services to our citizens.

Ninety-Five (95%) percent of all EMS STEMIs in 2022 that have come to UConn John Dempsey Hospital have been activated prior to the patient arrival thanks to EMS STEMI ALERTs. EMS crews have provided an average of 18 minutes advance notice with a range of 5 to 30 minutes. Each minute of advance notification is equal to a minute of saved heart muscle. Remember to Contact CMED for a STEMI ALERT with Medical Control. Keep up the great work! Early notification saves lives!

UCONN EMS Monthly Virtual CME

Join our EMS Medical Director Dr. Richard Kamin, EMS Coordinator Peter Canning and a variety of guest speakers on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 8:30 AM- 11:30 AM for our monthly EMS CME held virtually on Webex. We discuss case reviews and a variety of topics, including STEMI, stroke, trauma, medical and cardiac arrest care. Our target audience is all EMS responders. While we do discuss paramedic care, we try to make all cases accessible to BLS levels as well. No advance registration is required. 3 hours of OEMS approved CME is given.

CME Link

Monkeypox

For news, educational information, CME schedule and past copies of our newsletter Partners check out our website at health.uconn.edu/ems.

Contact Us

Any questions or suggestions about EMS? Looking for patient follow-up? Contact EMS Coordinator Peter Canning at canning@uchc.edu or call 860-679-3485.