During a recent government meeting, critical care paramedic and lieutenant with Joskot EMS, who also serves at Hillside ER, advocated for significant improvements in emergency medical services (EMS) in the community. The agenda included discussions on the approval of an AML EMS transport day truck and the allocation of funds for new cardiac monitors.
The paramedic emphasized the pressing need for a dedicated transport truck, highlighting the current challenges faced by local emergency services. He noted that patients often require transfers to other hospitals for specialized care, leading to delays as available ambulances are stretched thin. The proposed transport truck would alleviate this burden, allowing EMS to focus on 911 calls while ensuring timely transfers for patients needing further treatment.
In addition to the transport truck, the paramedic called for the purchase of new cardiac monitors, which are crucial for patient care. He pointed out that the existing monitors, purchased in 2018, are becoming outdated and increasingly costly to maintain. The new monitors under consideration would not only enhance the quality of care provided in the field but also enable real-time communication with cardiologists during emergencies, potentially improving patient outcomes.
The paramedic's appeal underscored the importance of investing in modern equipment to ensure that EMS can deliver the highest standard of care, particularly in critical situations where every second counts. The meeting then moved on to the next order of business, which involved the election of a new chairman.