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January 8, 2015Read more...

Wrap-Up: Ebola International Webinar Discussion

We recognize that Ebola is still an issue across the world, however it seems to be generally contained to the few suffering countries for now. As a result, we held our last webinar Thursday, January 8th which included a summary of our previous sessions, discussion of what we learned from this experience, and review of things that could be improved for similar events going forward. These webinars would not have been possible without the support of our participants, guest speakers, moderators...

December 18, 2014Read more...

International Webinar Discussion on Ebola

The eighth webinar held on Thursday, December 18th included featured guest speaker Dr. Ed Racht, Chief Medical Officer at AMR, who discussed their comprehensive approach to transporting Ebola patients in Dallas, TX. The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada continued their weekly international webinar discussion open to any public safety agency led by representatives from our FirstWatch team. These webinars are presented in association with the International Association of EMS Chiefs (IAEMSC), the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA), and the International Academies of...

November 20, 2014Read more...

International Webinar Discussion on Ebola

The sixth webinar held on Thursday November 20th included special guest presenter Dr. Richard Alcorta, acting Co-Executive Director and State EMS Medical Director at MEIMSS, who spoke to Maryland's statewide implementation of the IAED EID tool and their findings so far. The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada continued their weekly international webinar discussion open to any public safety agency led by representatives from our FirstWatch team. These webinars are presented in association with the International Association of EMS Chiefs (IAEMSC), the National...

November 6, 2014Read more...

International Webinar Discussion on Ebola

The fifth webinar held on Thursday November 6th included special guests Peter Simpson, Clinical Operations Manager, East of England Ambulance Trust, Norwich, United Kingdom and Catherine Jackson-Cole, Ambulance Coordinator, Pharmacist and Medical Student , Sierra Leone, West Africa. Together they provided us with on the ground perspective of the Ebola virus straight from the Command Center in Sierra Leone. The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada continued their weekly international webinar discussion open to any public safety agency led by representatives from our...

November 4, 2014Read more...

International Webinar Discussion on Ebola

The seventh webinar held on Thursday November 4th included featured guest speakers, Battalion Chief Edward Bergamini and Captain Paul Miano of FDNY who shared with us their experience transporting Dr. Craig Spencer who returned from Africa, developed Ebola symptoms, and then cleared his 21 day monitoring. The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada continued their weekly international webinar discussion open to any public safety agency led by representatives from our FirstWatch team. These webinars are presented in association with the International Association of...

October 30, 2014Read more...

International Webinar Discussion on Ebola

The fourth webinar held on Thursday October 30th included special guest Russell MacDonald, MD, MPH, FRCPC, Associate Professor and Co-Director of Emergency Medicine at the University of Toronto, Medical Director and Chair of the Quality Care Committee for Ornge Transport Medicine, Medical Advisor at Toronto Paramedic Services and Attending Staff member, Emergency Services at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Russell provided us with the "101" of Ebola as he discussed where the disease came from, it's current status, the facts...

October 23, 2014Read more...

International Webinar Discussion on Ebola

The third webinar held on Thursday October 23rd included special guests Alexander Isakov, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director, Section of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine, with Wade Milles, Interim Director of EMS Operations and Aaron Jamison, Special Operations Team Captain at Grady EMS.Together they detailed their experience in transporting and treating a confirmed Ebola patient from Dallas. The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada continued their weekly international webinar discussion open to any...

October 16, 2014Read more...

International Webinar Discussion on Ebola

The second webinar held on Thursday October 16th included special guests Dr. Jeff Clawson and Dr. Conrad Fivaz of IAED, who explained the newly updated ProQA Emerging Infectious Disease tool, Lloyd Rupp Jr., EMS Chief Omaha Fire Department, and Dr. John Lowe, Director for Public Health Training and Exercise Programs for the the Center of Bio Preparedness Education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) who discussed their experience in the transportation of two Ebola patients. The Paramedic Chiefs of...

October 9, 2014Read more...

International Webinar Discussion on Ebola

This weeks webinar features special guest Chief Normal Seals, EMS Chief at the Dallas Fire Department who spoke to his agency's experience with Ebola and fielded questions. With growing attention on the Ebola virus, the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada have began a weekly international webinar discussion open to interested participants led by representatives from our FirstWatch team. These webinars are presented in association with the International Association of EMS Chiefs (IAEMSC), the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA), and the International Academies...

September 25, 2014Read more...

Enterovirus D68 Continues to Spread

Download PDF  Since first reported in August, Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has spread from the Midwest to the majority of the United States. The CDC now reports that over 32 states have reported cases of the respiratory illness, however, it is more than likely that the virus has spread to all parts of the US. Prevention is key to keeping the virus from spreading. To learn more about prevention tips and recommendations for EMS, download the PDF.

September 25, 2014Read more...

Ebola – a Disaster in the Making

Download PDF  The CDC recently released a report stating that if there is no action on tackling the Ebola virus, their models predict 1.4 million persons will become infected by January 2015. U.S. officials are very concerned about the possibility of cases being introduced on US soil with the CDC offering guidance to healthcare facilities and EMS. To learn more about the 13 CDC based recommendations for EMS, download the PDF.

September 9, 2014Read more...

Enterovirus D68 Infections Reported in Midwest

Download PDF  The CDC has released an early report on a cluster of children with severe respiratory complaints in the Midwest. The Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO and the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital in Illinois also contacted the CDC to report an increase in patients presenting to the hospital with respiratory distress. To learn more about what this means for EMS, download the PDF.

August 27, 2014Read more...

Ebola Virus Update

The CDC has posted interim guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for management of patients with known or suspected Ebola Virus Disease in the United States. Please note: This information supersedes any information we have previously posted on the Ebola Virus. Click here to view their recommendations

August 1, 2014Read more...

Ebola Virus Update

Download PDF  The CDC has posted recommendations for Hospitalized patients suspected or known to have the Ebola virus. View recommendations.

July 31, 2014Read more...

Ebola Virus

Download PDF The largest outbreak of the Ebola virus is occurring on the African continent with fear that the deadly disease will spread to other countries. So far, there have been over 672 persons that have contracted Ebola according to the World Health Organization, with the number increasing every day.

May 13, 2014Read more...

Second confirmed case of MERS-CoV in the United States

Download PDF Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a second case of MERS-CoV. The second case was identified in Orange County Florida in a healthcare worker who was visiting the U. S. from Saudi Arabia. Dr. Alex Garza, former FirstWatch Medical Director and Health Intelligence page contributor, was featured this morning on the St. Louis TV news station KTVI to discuss the current threat of Mers-CoV.

May 2, 2014Read more...

First MERS-CoV case in United States 

Download PDF  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting the first case of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome caused by the Corona Virus, otherwise known as MERS-CoV. The CDC states that a man has tested positive in Indiana after a recent trip to Saudia Arabia. The man arrived in the United States approximately one week ago after a layover in London. He eventually landed in Chicago and then took a bus to Indiana. He was apparently NOT ILL while on...

May 1, 2014Read more...

Louisville Metro EMS gets first MERS-CoV triggers

Download PDF FirstWatch has recently developed our first MERS-CoV near-real-time triggers. Earlier this week, Dr. Neal Richmond, Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director for Louisville Metro EMS in Kentucky asked us to help develop MERS triggers as part of their preparation for the Kentucky Derby (May 2 – 4, 2014). The Kentucky Derby is an international event with attendees from all over the world, including from countries with MERS cases.

July 29, 2013Read more...

Updates on MERS and Cylospora

Mers and Cylospora Update: As of July 26, 2013, CDC has been notified of 353 cases of Cyclospora infection from the following 15 health departments: Iowa , Texas , Nebraska , Florida, Wisconsin , Illinois, New York City, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Ohio