Nearly 60 emergency medical personnel took part in EMS Academy training at Ashtabula County Medical Center last Thursday.
The class focused on brain trauma, and included an opportunity for each member to dissect a sheep brain to study its parts and structure.
The Academy was led by Cleveland Clinic Critical Care Education Coordinator Andrew Burke, and arranged by ACMC EMS Coordinator Jodi Calaway.
It was provided to local EMS departments free of charge.
“ACMC paid the tuition for each of the class members,” Calaway said. “This is a great opportunity for ACMC Healthcare System to help local EMS learn more about potential trauma they may see. We are proud to be able to provide this level of training in our community.”
Eight departments from around Ashtabula County were represented, including Community Care Ambulance Network, Ashtabula Fire Department, Ashtabula Township Fire Department, Conneaut Fire Department, Plymouth Fire Department, Saybrook Fire Department, and South Central Ambulance District.
The training covered a variety of brain injuries and trauma, as Burke explained their symptoms, how a patient may present these symptoms, and treatment options for emergency crews transporting a patient to a hospital.
He emphasized the severity of trauma to the brain by either showing photographs, or referring class members to their dissected sheep brain.
Burke’s repeated advice throughout the night reminded emergency crews that they should err on the side of caution when dealing with a head injury.
“It is not going to take you long to transport them to the hospital, where a physician can make the diagnosis. Some symptoms may not present immediately. They may have a gradual onset, or they may come on suddenly,” he said.
However, that does not mean EMS should not look for symptoms to pass along to the physician to aid his or her diagnosis.
For example, when a stroke occurs, a person may lose the ability to control their muscles, or may slur their speech.
Burke said the specific symptoms can show physicians the location in the brain that is being affected by the loss of blood during a stroke.
“You can help the Emergency Department by giving them a clear picture of the symptoms and what you are able to observe,” he said.
The EMS Academy at ACMC is just one way ACMC Healthcare System provides educational opportunities for the community.
On February 28, ACMC Emergency Department Medical Director Imraan Haniff, MD, will present a case review for EMS departments.
In March, the hospital is hosting the Ashtabula County Drug Task Force to provide EMS personnel information about street drugs in the area.
?