Newsroom
Attention all EHS registered Medical First Responders re: Patient Care Reports
Any time a Medical First Responder (MFR) makes contact with a patient, a Patient Care Report (PCR) MUST be completed. If you are unable to provide the attending paramedics with the “white copy” of the PCR, then ensure that both copies are sent to EHS MFR Services. A PCR should not be destroyed by shredding or placing such in a waste receptacle. It is a legal document and must be placed with the patient’s file.
It is very important to know that documentation on a patient is part of their continuum of care. That continuum of care starts when 911 is contacted and the caller is transferred to the EHS Medical Communications Centre, then notification of an MFR agency, then to patient contact as well as attending paramedics. The "white copy" that is given to the paramedics should be provided to the hospital staff for the patient's chart. The "yellow copy" should be forwarded to EHS MFR Services for confidential and secure filing.
June 2010 Mailout
On June 23rd , a package containing important information for MFR agencies regarding personnel changes in EHS MFR Services, as well as revised program documents and forms, was mailed to all EHS registered MFR agencies.
The package is also available for download here.
April 2010 Mailout
On April 20th, a memorandum regarding a personnel change in EHS MFR Services was mailed to all EHS registered MFR agencies.
The memo is also available for download here.
March 2010 Mailout
On March 22nd, a package containing important information for MFR agencies requesting reimbursement for training costs, as well as the NS EMS Symposium, was mailed to all EHS registered MFR agencies.
The package is also available for download here.
PCR Compliance
During 2010 EHS MFR Services will be focusing on PCR (patient care report) compliance.
Please review the following link for information regarding Bill 64: The Personal Health Information Act www.gov.ns.ca/health/phia.
February 2010 Mailout
On February 9th, a package containing important information for MFR agencies requesting approval of EHS insurance coverage for mass community events was mailed to all EHS registered MFR agencies.
The package is also available for download here.
A good news MFR story!
(submitted by Earl Russell, Operations Supervisor, Western Region)
On Wednesday, January 27th, an MFR refresher training session focusing on CPR was held at the Waterville & District Fire Department. There were 73 MFRs, including Chiefs and Officers, in attendance. Bruce Cruickshank and EHS MFR Services organized the event, and 18 other paramedics helped to oversee the skills and assist as needed. Deb Misener, NP, a long time supporter of the local MFRs and paramedics, was also very involved in the set up.
It was great to see Paula Poirier, EMC COO; Jeff Fraser, Director of Operations and Neil Mooy, MFR Program Development Paramedic, in attendance to observe.
Two days after they received the CPR training, Kentville Fire Department responded to a cardiac arrest during a snow storm at the request of the paramedics seeking assistance. The team worked great together as Kentville MFRs took the lead on administering CPR while paramedics initiated their protocols. The firefighters also shoveled and pushed the ambulance out of a section of the driveway.
The Fire Department, through Valley Communications, requested a provincial plow for the road. The plow arrived just as the paramedics were ready to leave the scene. A firefighter, who was also a family member of the patient, also plowed the driveway with his personal truck. The patient was successfully resuscitated and transported to Valley Regional Hospital and then on to the QEII for cardiac cath and continued monitoring.
Well done everyone! We all wish the patient a successful recovery.
(l-r) Chief Dave Miller, Greenwich Fire Department; Mary Lou Miller, Greenwich Fire Department;
and Chief Shawn Ripley, Kentville Fire Department
January 2010 Mailout
On January 26th, a package containing important information regarding EHS MFR re-registration and EHS insurance coverage for registered medical first responders was mailed to all EHS registered MFR agencies.
The package is also available for download here.
November 2009 Mailout
On November 12th, a package of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was sent to each EHS registered MFR agency via ExpressPost. These packages contained one-size-fits-all simple masks and a quantity of 118mL bottles of hand sanitizer. The accompanying letter is also available here.
H1N1 Swine Influenza Information
Visit the H1N1 section of the website for updated information pertaining to the H1N1 Swine Flu.
Philips HeartStart FRx basic product training
Visit MFR Education for a PowerPoint presentation which provides
basic "how to" training for the Philips HeartStart FRx defibrillator that was issued to all EHS registered MFR agencies in spring 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Philips FRx
Click here for the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Philips FRx defibrillator.
September 2009 Mailout
In mid-September 2009, an information package was distributed to all EHS registered MFR agencies. This package contained updated EHS MFR Serivces contact information; a revised Program Document; a letter regarding insurance coverage for EHS registered Paramedics and MFRs; FAQs for the HeartStart FRx AED; a revised EHS MFR Consumables form; and an announcement pertaining to EHS MFR Services personnel changes.
The package is also available for download here.
Insurance coverage for Medical First Responders
Please click here to review an important letter from Robert Brown, EHS Director Field Operations, regarding insurance coverage for EHS registered Medical First Reponders and Paramedics.
EHS MFR Triage refresher training available online
The EHS MFR team recognizes that while Triage is one of the essential competencies required for tag re-registration, it is often difficult to secure an EHS-facilitated Triage refresher training session in your community.
We are pleased to announce that the Online Triage component of our website (in MFR Education) provides an alternative method of attaining this competency by reviewing a refresher presentation and completing a short quiz online. Upon successful completion of the Online Triage quiz, a certificate will be generated and must be submitted to the EHS MFR Services Registrar for credit toward re-registration. (Complete instructions are available at the end of the quiz.)
A fine balance...Jeff Fraser speaks about medical first response in Nova Scotia
This article in Firefighting in Canada magazine addresses pre-hospital emergency care, including Nova Scotia's MFRs who are referred to as "heart and soul of the emergency medical response system."
March 2009 Mailout
In mid-March 2009, an information package was distributed to all EHS registered MFR agencies. This package contained updated revised Program Documents, the announcement of the HeartStart FRx AED initiative, First Response Agency information and confidentiality forms the EHS Medical First Response Program 2008 Annual Report, and the 9th Annual Nova Scotia EMS Symposium brochure..
The package (exclusive of the MFR Annual Report) is also available for download here.
The EHS MFR Program 2008 Annual Report is available for download here.
AED - Important Information
February 26, 2009
EHS MFR Services is pleased to announce that the Philips HeartStart FRx has been selected as the preferred defibrillator device for the EHS MFR Program.
LIFEPAK 500 defibrillators previously provided by EHS to registered and fully sponsored EHS MFR agencies will be replaced with new HeartStart FRx devices in the near future. In-service training will also be provided.
Please review the attached letter for more information on this initiative.
More information on oxygen exhange
Praxair Medigas requests that customers please utilize the green labels attached to each oxygen bottle to indicate whether the bottle is FULL-IN-USE or EMPTY.
When cylinders are being returned it is helpful to use that industry standard to ensure the empty containers are returned and the full cylinders are ready for use.
When returning a bottle to the empty rack at the base, remove the portion that indicates full or in use and leave the empty portion on the bottle. For larger bottles, leave the tag outside of the cap, through the hole in the cap if possible.
Physio-Control Canada Recall Notice
Physio-Control Canada has issued a recall notice for LIFEPAK CR Plus and LIFEPAK Express automated external defibrillators manufactured between November 2006 and March 2008. Please note, this recall does not apply to LIFEPAK 500 AEDs.
Reminder to all EHS MFR Agencies
Please remember to bring in one (1) empty oxygen cylinder to exchange for one (1) full cylinder on a regular basis.
It is important that you do not "save up" your empty cylinders and exchange 3 or 4 at a time, as this depletes the normal inventory and may prohibit EHS from providing oxygen to other EHS MFR agencies and the EHS ambulances.
Thank you for your consideration and cooperation.
Did you know...?
* EHS Emergency Health Services recently approved funding related to MFR training reimbursement to approved fully sponsored EHS MFR agencies.
- Only new, fully sponsored EHS MFR agencies will receive training costs reimbursed to the agency at a maximum rate of $150 per person, to a maximum of $1,500.
- Each consecutive year, a fully sponsored EHS MFR agency is entitled to receive reimbursement for MFR training of two (2) persons at a maximum rate of $150/person.
- For more information, please review Program Document No. 12008.00.
* EHS sponsored MFR agencies with compatible non-expired defibrillator pads can exchange these pads with the ambulance on scene, if time permits. Defibrillator pads with six (6) months remaining in their shelf-life and still in the original package may be exchanged by contacting EHS MFR Services at (902) 832-8356.
* Anyone who is 19 years of age or older, has successfully completed MFR training by and EHS approved MFR training agency, is a current resident of Nova Scotia, and is associated with an EHS registered MFR agency can make application for his/her EHS MFR tag by completing the "Medical First Responder Registration/Re-registration Application" form or contacting the the EHS MFR Registrar at (902) 832-4685 or mfr.registry@emci.ca.
