Internal Communicatons Excellence
Recently our very own Platte Valley Ambulance Service was selected by local Daisy Troop 65806 as their Home Town Heroes! As thanks, the troop raised donations to purchase 115 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies for PVAS to enjoy, and earlier this month they stopped by to present the treats to our medics. The girls got to tour the ambulances and say hello to our Ambulance staff. The troop had tons of fun, and our medics were very grateful for their cookies.
For the past 10 years, Carl Craigle has certified every Brighton police officer in CPR, first aid, automated defibrillation, gunshot wounds, bleeding control and tourniquet application. Because of his training and certifying officers, Brighton officers have saved multiple lives. He has certified Brighton Police Explorers and trained students in the Citizen Police Academy. He also delivers donated gifts every Christmas by portraying Santa. Carl earned the Brighton Police Department Partner Agency Meritorious Service Award during the department’s annual awards banquet on March 10 at the Riverdale Dunes Clubhouse.
Congratulations Carl, this award is well deserved and couldn’t have gone to a better partner!
Some 160 Foundation supporters, many dressed in 80’s attire, attended the annual Hospital Foundation fund-raiser dinner held at the Stonebrook Manor Event Center in Thornton.
Besides the great food and entertainment provided by “That Eighties Band,” a number of hospital associates were recognized and honored with Spirit of Planetree awards. They were:
We are happy to announce that Santa will be delivering gifts and visiting our neighborhood kids again this year.
If you, your friends, neighbors or family members are interested in having Santa visit your home and deliver gifts, fill out the attached form or give us a call. Drop off your wrapped gifts with your child’s name and address on the packages to our headquarters station at 1750 Egbert Street Brighton, Co 80601 before 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 23rd.
Santa will show up at your house on Saturday, December 23rd between 5PM & 9PM!
NOTE: To be eligible, you must live in the greater Brighton area – (Brighton, North Henderson, Wattenburg, Lochbuie, Todd Creek, Great Rock). Your child should be between the ages of 3 & 8. We will accept the first 40 families that register. We are already getting requests, so act quickly!
Print the form, fill it out and fax it to 303.654.8166
Call 720.288.2087 with questions. Hope to see you on the 23rd!
Platte Valley Medical Center was recently notified by Planetree of those selected for the hospital’s 2017 Planetree awards. Although it was a tight race, all PVMC associates nominated were selected as winners. The following associates were recognized not only by members of Platte Valley’s Planetree Steering committee but also by Planetree International for their commitment to Platte Valley’s promise of excellence in Patient/Person Centered Care.
AND THE WINNERS ARE……..
Winner of the Planetree Scholar Award,
Non-Clinical
Rosalva Vasquez, EVS
….The smile this associate has lightens up a room. Rosalva has a way of connecting with her patients and understands the importance of her role in their wellbeing. She never says no and will always goes above and beyond.
Winner of the Team Innovation Award
Ambulance Dept. Carl Cringle, Ambulance
…..From Santa to taxi service, our ambulance crew does it all Not only do they provide our community with High Quality care, they share their knowledge and expertise among other EMS departments. Being visible in the community is key and this team never lets Brighton down.
Winner of the Planetree Scholar Award, Clinical
Gene Abbott RN Manager for the GI Lab
….Team player with a sense of humor. That is how Gene is referred to by his colleagues, patients, and providers. He is a true team player always keeping his patients front and center. From preadmission, scheduling, and callbacks, his patients feel his caring in everything he does. He touches everyone he cares for in a personal way.
These winners will be presented with awards at the Platte Valley Medical Center Foundation Concert Event, March 9, 2018. If you see any of these winners, give them a huge congratulation on the work they have done and continue to do for our patients and their families in this facility as well as out in the community.
Platte Valley’s Multidisciplinary Trauma Team was recently recognized at a breakfast in their honor. The special breakfast, prepared for by Chef Mike, was held during the team’s monthly meeting in December.
At the meeting, VP of Operations Kurt Gensert commended the team for their great work in achieving Trauma Level III designation. A special gift — a commemorative vase with flowers — was also given to Andrea Moore for her efforts to lead the designation process.
Congratulations to all!
Russell Whalen, 2, poses for a photo with Santa.
Photo by Andrea Tritschler for the Brighton Standard Blade.
The Platte Valley Ambulance Service was featured in last week’s Brighton Standard Blade newspaper for the fun they bring to the local community, delivering presents to local children on Christmas Eve. Carl Craigle, Chris Mulberry, Mindy Forbes, and Michal Michalkow are all mentioned as part of the Santa delivery crew. The full story can be found at the Standard Blade website.
We are happy to announce that Santa will be delivering gifts and visiting our neighborhood kids again this year.
If you, your friends, neighbors or family members are interested in having Santa visit your home and deliver gifts, fill out the attached form or give us a call. Drop off your wrapped gifts with your child’s name and address on the packages to our headquarters station at 1750 Egbert Street Brighton, Co 80601 before Friday, December 23rd.
Santa will show up at your house on Friday, December 23rd between 5PM & 9PM!
NOTE: To be eligible, you must live in the greater Brighton area – (Brighton, North Henderson, Wattenburg, Lochbuie, Todd Creek, Great Rock). Your child should be between the ages of 3 & 8. We will accept the first 40 families that register. We are already getting requests, so act quickly!
Print the form, fill it out and fax it to 303.654.8166
Call 720.288.2087 with questions. Hope to see you on the 23rd!
Santa will be riding with Platte Valley Ambulance Service again this year!
If you know someone with children aged 3 to 8 years old, who would like to have Santa deliver gifts to their home on December 23rd – please fill out this form: Santa Claus Flyer Dec 2015 and fax, email or call Carl Craigle as soon as you can!
The first 40 families will be accepted. The families must live in the Greater Brighton Area (Brighton, Todd Creek, Henderson north of 120th, Great Rock) or Lochbuie (Zip codes 80601, 80602, 80603).
Santa will arrive at your house with lights, sirens and a Platte Valley Ambulance escort! Let your neighbors know that Santa will be coming through town – we will be handing out candy canes at every stop! Deliveries will begin at 5PM and will likely be finished up by 9 – 9:30 PM.
Participants must drop off wrapped gifts to the PVAS headquarters station(1750 Egbert Street – Brighton, Colorado 80601) BEFORE deliveries begin on December 23rd. The gifts need to have the child’s name and address on the package. Please make sure to include a contact phone number so that we can get in touch with you.
Call Carl Craigle at 720.288.2087 with questions.
Starting January 1, you may occasionally hear a new overhead page played on the intercom system. The Trauma Alert system has been divided into two categories, Full Trauma Alert and Limited Trauma Alert. These alerts will be handled by two different teams, and training for these response teams has already begun. When one is paged, you will hear “Limited Trauma Alert or Full Trauma Alert” played on the intercom. Our ED and ambulance staff is using a new identification system to help place patients in a Limited Trauma or Full Trauma category.
If you hear a Limited Trauma Alert or Full Trauma Alert alert being called out over the paging system, rest assured that the best people with the best training are handling the situation. If you have any questions about this new intercom alert, or the Limited Trauma/Full Trauma system, please call Andrea Moore at 1919.
We are very proud of the work our EMTs and Paramedics do every day. This past weekend, Platte Valley Ambulance Service (PVAS) was honored by Children’s Hospital Colorado with the statewide award for Commitment to Pediatric Care!
The award was presented as part of the Colorado EMS Awards ceremony through the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment at the Colorado State EMS Conference.
This is the second time PVAS has been recognized with this prestigious award since 2011.
Congratulations to our amazing PVAS team and special thanks to our first response colleagues from Brighton Police Department, Lochbuie Police Department, Southeast Weld Fire Protection District, Hudson Fire Protection District and Brighton Fire Rescue who work side by side with PVAS to take care of our communities.
If you happen to see PVAS staff in the halls, please wish them congratulations.
Platte Valley Ambulance Service would like to recognize the efforts of the medics that signed up to work shifts at the Adams County Fair – Michio, Owen, Cooper, Cindy, Andrew, Jerry, Allen, Rick, Mark, Melissa, Dan, Mindy, Shannon, Jen, Bre, and Michal.
A special thank you goes to Mindy who worked every day of the fair at Carl’s request – working in every position, sometimes all day. Also thanks to Mark who worked every day but one (because he was on-duty that day). Another thank you goes to Michio who worked the Public Ed booth all day by himself & to Dan who ROCKED the Public Education booth for two days straight with Bre & Mindy.
Dr. Harrod and Dr. Ross, thank you for working with our crews at the fair this year. Also, thanks goes to the on-duty crews from each shift that were busy with 911 calls but also made time to rotate through the fair to help out at the Public Education booth & also help out with putting materials & supplies away afterwards. Finally, big thanks to PVAS’ PRN teammates – Allen, Brent, Phil, Dan, Cooper, Steve, Michal, Melissa & Cindy for working at least one shift at fair week.
A BIG Thanks to Chris Mulberry for providing a fantastic training on Cardiac Rhythms to PVMC Clinical Staff. Nurses, nursing assistants, techs, and respiratory therapists all benefited from Chris’s knowledge and dynamic presentation. Thank you Chris for your time and effort to ensure we are providing the best Cardiac care to our patients!
On May 17, PVMC’s Ambulance Department kicked off National Emergency Medical Services Week with a special reception and car show featuring modern and vintage ambulances. There was also a dedication of the hospital’s newest ambulance, a 2014 Dodge Lifeline.
PVAS Medics worked with students, March 16th, from Prairie View High School. As part of their “Citizen Medic” initiative, approximately 130 students practiced Hands-On CPR & AED training throughout the school day.
Thousands of Americans suffer from sudden cardiac death every year. The sooner a family member, friend or bystander can start chest compressions, the better the chances for survival.
The same can be said about applying an automated external defibrillator (AED). The chances are good that a person suffering from sudden cardiac death has been affected by the arrhythmia (ventricular fibrillation or v-fib), which can only be reversed through rapid defibrillation, the use of an AED.
While taking a full CPR certification course is always a good idea, a person doesn’t need to be certified to learn chest compressions and the use of an AED. In fact it only takes a few minutes!
A very big thank you goes to Mrs. Veronica Randall for inviting us, with appreciation as well to EMT, Michio Watanabe and Paramedic, Liah Collier for doing a great job as coaches for the students.
PVAS Medics also participated with Adams County Workforce, Brighton Economic Development Corporation, School District 27J and other Adams County Schools at a job fair held at the Adams County Fair and Regional Park Complex on March 5th. The students participated in learning some life saving techniques the medics use on a daily basis. With the guidance of our ambulance staff, the students did an excellent job intubating and starting IVs (on our training manikins of course)!! They also had an opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the emergency medical field from our medics! The Brighton Police Department and Brighton Fire Rescue were also on location providing information about the emergency services they provide!
Paramedic Liah Collier assists a student at Prairie View High School with CPR
Ambulance booth at the Job Fair
Paramedic Mindy Forbes demonstrates endotracheal intubation with the “GlideScope”
Platte Valley Ambulance Services was recently included in the citizen survey issued by the City of Brighton. PVAS received the highest approval rating of the agencies listed in the Public Safety section of the survey!
“I am proud of my teammates for all of the things they do on a daily basis to take care of people in need,” says Carl Craigle, director of Platte Valley Ambulance Services. “All of us in the Ambulance Service are proud to represent PVMC and to be part of such a tremendous organization. We hope we’ve made all of you proud.”
You can view the entire survey here.
And the winners are……
1st Place: Surgery Services
2nd Place: Nutritional Services
3rd Place: Ambulance
Thom has served as the Quality Care Coordinator for Platte Valley Ambulance Service since July of 2005. His EMS career spanned 43 years of service as an EMT, paramedic, teacher and author. During that time he published three books and 500 articles for field crews, advocating kindness for sick people and safety for their caregivers. Thom became America’s first national paramedic of the year in 1984, and received two other national awards during his tenure at Platte Valley. He has also served on the editorial boards of two national journals.
As Quality Care Coordinator, Thom was responsible for medics’ continuing education and certification. He managed the fleet and processed the department’s bills, tracked customer complaints and compliments, designed safer ambulance layouts, and coordinated a community outreach program for members of the public who were failing to thrive or otherwise unable to care for themselves. He addressed the safety of crews by teaching them to appreciate their own value. And he helped to publicize Platte Valley as an employer of choice, thus improving PVMC’s access to great people as future team members.
Thom’s wife, “Saint” Sue, retired with Thom on the same day – March 28. They plan to travel while continuing to live in Brighton.
On June 5, 2013, PVMC partnered with the Federal Coordinating Center (FCC) and conducted a disaster drill. The scenario involved an F-5 tornado hitting a large Wyoming town causing the evacuation of their community hospital. Approximately 200 patients were received by the FCC who were then transported to eleven area hospitals. PVMC received 74 patients – 44 by helicopter and 30 more who had driven from Wyoming after their hospital was evacuated.
In addition to the drill, the hospital carried on regular business without disruption or delay in patient care. This was a wonderful test of our surge capacity and taught us many lessons on how we would surge if the situation ever arose.
Wendy Colon
A farewell reception was held recently for Marlene Hays, who retired after 25 years of service at our hospital. She began her journey with our PVMC family as a volunteer in the Ambulance Department and later, after completing her studies, was hired as an EMT where she worked for 10 years before moving to the hospital’s Emergency Department.
Marlene was instrumental in developing a sec/tech position in the ED, which, along with Jeanette Nelson, secured on-going ED support from EMT’s. Once it was clear that there was a true niche for them the position was then broken apart creating a secretary role and an EMT role.
Marlene has mentored many new EMTs as well as nurses into their respective roles when it came to splinting as well as her creative ability to come up with patient specific splints based upon injuries. Providers and staff knew that the emergency department was in capable hands whenever Marlene was working.
Marlene has shared her talents and her culinary expertise with us for many years. Although our waistlines may have been better without her, she will forever leave a void in the hearts of all that loved and worked with her. Thank you Marlene for your 25 years of dedicated service
Paramedic Mindy Brunick loads a new Stryker self-powered cot into a Platte Valley ambulance using the self-powered loading system.
Most EMTs live with the daily fear of being one injury away from the end of their careers. Platte Valley Ambulance crews got an edge in October, as they replaced their Stryker ambulance cots with new self-powered ones that can lift patients weighing as much as 700 lbs. In February, they became one of only ten services in Colorado to install special motorized lifts that integrate with the new cots. Each ambulance is now equipped with an electrical fork lift on a moving track that enables a provider to load or unload a patient without lifting.
Platte Valley Ambulance crews patrolled the streets of Brighton on Halloween, handing out treats and luminescent wrist bands.
Medics also joined Brighton firefighters at the District’s second annual “Truck or Treat” festivities at the main fire station on South Main Street. Kids toured Ambulance Number Nine, disguised as a haunted dungeon, and talked to PETE the Platte Valley Ambulance, who came as a witch.
AR-R! EMT Rick Flos and his family decorated this ambulance as a haunted dungeon. (Photo by Seth Miller)
Founder and former Brighton Community Hospital President Fred Sage and national EMS luminary Jeff Dyar joined other Platte Valley Ambulance alumni and crews at the Armory last month to celebrate the agency’s 40 years of service to the community of Brighton. A dozen old-timers showed up, including Stan Howell, PVAS’ first paramedic.
Mr. Dyar, also a founding member, traveled from Durango to give the keynote presentation. After joining as a 17-year-old volunteer in 1972, he served as a military and civilian medic, then an EMS author and a national EMS leader. During his career, he responded with FEMA to many of the Nation’s major disasters.
Current PVMC President John Hicks joins Past President Fred Sage. Mr. Sage accepted the keys to PVAS’ original Cadillac ambulance from the Rice Funeral Home in May of 1972. He co-founded PVAS, then served as one of its first volunteers.
The event also marked PVAS’ annual awards banquet. Current crews honored some of their own for distinguished service, including Paramedic of the Year Steve Calfee, EMT of the Year Rick Flos and second-time People Care Award winner Jenny Wheeler. The People Care Award recognizes exemplary care for the human needs of patients and their loved ones. Finally, Capt. Dave Christenson and EMT Steve Begay both received Service Excellence Awards.
Past and present members of Platte Valley Ambulance Service
To My Fellow Employees at Platte Valley Medical Center:
For those who do not know me, I am Owen Mckeough and I work as a Paramedic on the ambulance. For three years I also worked in the Emergency Department as a tech. I am writing this letter because I am coming up on an Army deployment and want to thank everyone for being a good friend and coworker. I will be gone for a year and will miss all of you. It’s hard to have to leave my wife and two kids (4 year old son and 10 month old daughter) and it’s hard to leave you.
I will be back in a year and will be back on the ambulance. Deployment is hard on a soldier but it’s also hard on the soldier’s family. I am sure many people want to say thank you but more importantly a special “thank you” goes to my family for filling in the void while I am gone. Another “thank you” must go to the management and supervisors of the ambulance as they have been very flexible and understanding. It’s hard on them too because they also have to fill in the void.
I have never had an employer who cares for the employee and family of that employee as I have found here at PVMC. So once again, thank you for all your support. I ask for your prayers for my family as they have to endure the stress of not having their dad and husband around. I also want to mention that while I am gone many of my fellow employees have volunteered to help out my family as needed. This leaves me speechless because of the amount of support I am receiving.
Thank you Platte Valley Medical Center and Platte Valley ambulance for your support. See you in year.
Owen Mckeough
On January 24, 2012, I had the opportunity to work with the National Medical Response Team at the State of the Union Address in Washington DC. The Objectives for the National Medical Response Team were to:
1) Provide standby decontamination and medical support for the duration of the State of the Union Address under the control of the US Capitol Police and Office of the Attending Physician.
2) Maintain situational awareness, coordination and communication with Health and Human Services, Capitol Police, DC Fire and EMS, US Marine Corps and any other agencies.
3) In the event of an actual incident, provide rapid mass decontamination for ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients as well as medical care.
My position was Liaison between Health and Human Services and the US Capitol Police. I was stationed within the Incident Command Post on the Circle with Capitol Police, DC Fire, DC EMS and the US Marine Corps. The Incident Command Post monitored all activity within the Capitol and immediate area surrounding the Capitol as it related to Police, Fire, EMS, etc. I was in constant contact with the National Medical Response Team in the event of an actual incident, I could relay to the National Medical Response Team they would be receiving patients.
Though no actual incident happened, this was a wonderful experience and I learned things that I could bring back to PVMC’s Emergency Management Program.
Wendy Colon, Emergency Management – PVMC
Wendy Colon (Clinical Coordinator, Trauma/Emergency Management) was recently appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to the Colorado State Board of Nursing, an 11 member Board that is the governing body of nursing for the State of Colorado.
The Nursing Board has many duties including:
1) Oversight of the nursing licensure exam
2) Oversight of all nursing licensure
3) Approval of all of the nursing educational programs within the State, which includes monitoring these programs and making sure they maintain their approved curriculum for preparing a student for the nursing profession
4) Adopting and revising rules and regulations regarding qualifications for the nursing profession within Colorado
5) The investigation and conducting of hearings when there are nursing disciplinary concerns
This is a great opportunity for PVMC to have representation on the Nursing Board and to keep up-to-date on the changes within nursing in the state. It will also allow Wendy to share new opportunities in improving care by increasing her awareness of nursing practice.
Congratulations Wendy! All of us are honored by the recognition you have received and by your appointment to the State Board of Nursing!
The Emergency Department would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Owen McKeough & Shannon Haskin for their recent opportunity to move to PVMC EMS. Although they will be missed in the Emergency Department they will remain part of the PVMC family.
Owen came to us in February 2009. Our first correspondence with Owen was via email after an EMT position was posted on line. Owen was in Iraq serving our country when he emailed us to please wait to decide on our decision until he came back; “It means a lot to me” were his words. We interviewed Owen and knew immediately that we had a star! Owen quickly became an integral member of our team, as time went on he wanted more challenge and so he completed and passed his paramedic program. Owen will now move on to riding the rigs and taking with him his enthusiasm and great customer service! He will be missed with his cheerful disposition and his continual thirst for knowledge.
Shannon came to us in February 2010 when she arrived in Colorado. She brought 15 plus years of paramedic experience in Florida to our emergency department. She absolutely shines with her knowledge base and her work ethic. She has become an integral member of the team and is constantly challenging her knowledge with the providers and nurses in the department. Shannon has taken on teaching the basic EKG classes for staff development and continues to search for additional challenges and duties.
While we rejoice with them in their opportunity for growth we are also saddened by the loss of two such stellar employees. We send you off with best wishes for many happy satisfying years in your new endeavor!
Mary Feeney & Jeanette Nelson
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Platte Valley Ambulance Service. In addition to working for the hospital, some of you also volunteered or worked for the ambulance service “back in the good ole days” or have friends or relatives that were affiliated with the ambulance service.
If you want to keep up with current events, milestones and achievements of the ambulance service or perhaps would like to connect with old friends or co-workers, check out the ambulance service facebook page. Simply search for Platte Valley Ambulance Service. Every Monday, we will be posting photos and information pertaining to our 40 year history. Our first “Monday Memories” post was today!
A tremendous group of dedicated volunteers and career people worked very hard to keep the ambulance service alive and continuously improving. There is a great deal to be proud of. Please join us in celebrating 40 years of excellence, service and caring for others.
Carl A. Craigle
With 845 million monthly active users currently enjoying the Facebook social network, surely you are (or know someone who is) also connected. Platte Valley Medical Center has three Facebook pages: one for Platte Valley Medical Center, one for Platte Valley Ambulance Service, and our newest page: PVMC Cancer Crushers.
Like our Platte Valley Medical Center fan page.
Platte Valley Medical Center Page – for hospital news and valuable health and event information, like us today: www.facebook.com/plattevalleymedicalcenter
Like our Platte Valley Ambulance Service page.
Platte Valley Ambulance Service Page – like this page and take a journey into the personal side of Platte Valley Ambulance Service. Always social, professional, and special, PVAS’s posts will keep you coming back. Find them now: www.facebook.com/pages/Platte-Valley-Ambulance-Service/115744425135442
Like our PVMC Cancer Crushers' fan page.
PVMC Cancer Crushers – You’ve certainly heard about our Relay-For-Life team, the PVMC Cancer Crushers. We’ve had a successful Cookies-By-The-Pound sale and fun Valentine’s Day Photo sessions as fund raisers and there will be something for everyone as a variety of events are planned over the next four months. Right now you can help by “LIKING” our Facebook fan page. Certainly no commitments or request for money, we simply want to increase our fan page presence. Although crushing cancer is also a great cause!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/PVMC-Cancer-Crushers/329557083751375
If you’re on Facebook, be sure to “like” all of our pages. If not, tell your friends and family about us!
If you love to ride your bike and are interested in participating in a fundraising bike ride (or two) this summer consider joining Justin Trelease of Platte Valley EMS.
“I think it would be a lot of fun to get a group of people together for a ride or two (or more) this summer,” elates Justin. “If there’s enough interest, we could form a hospital team that could ride in some of these events as a group (see list below).”
If you’re interested in getting your bike ready and joining Justin, along with other PVMCers, email Justin today at jtrelease@pvmc.org.
Here are some bike rides Justin is pulling a team together for:
EMS Memorial Bike Ride (dates not yet announced) which begins in Littleton and ends with a memorial celebration in Colorado Springs (80 miles).
There are also another 10-20 major rides over the summer that may interest other folks. Some are held to raise money for various causes or charities and others are just for fun.
This site has links to Century rides (over 100 miles in a day):
http://www.rideofthecentury.com/show.php?st=Colorado
This one has a more complete list:
http://www.kansascyclist.com/events/Colorado_Calendar.html
There is also the MS150 which is a two-day fund-raiser for the Multiple Sclerosis society. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bike-ms-colorado-wyoming/colorado-ride-information/index.aspx
The Platte Valley Ambulance Service team was extremely excited to have Santa spend some time with them on Christmas eve. They helped Santa deliver gifts to over 60 kids in Brighton and Lochbuie! Santa even put on his paramedic uniform in case they had an emergency call while he was with them.
PVMC's Data and Policy Assistant Phadrah shares cookies with Santa while her daughter Makayla clutches her new toy.
PVAS sends a big thank you to the families they saw on Christmas Eve – many made cookies, offered dinner and had other treats waiting for them when they showed up with Santa. Everyone had an awesome time!
Scores of small students from the Brighton Head-Start Program got to meet Pete, the kid-sized Platte Valley Ambulance last week. They learned how to avoid injuries and illnesses, to wear safety restraints in their families’ cars, and not to be afraid of really big medics wearing uniforms (like Mark Smith, pictured here).
Chief Paramedic Carl Craigle (aka the Devious One) hid behind the darkened windows of a real ambulance and controlled Pete’s movements and conversation. On their way back to classes, more than one of the munchkins gave Pete a hug and said, “I love you, Pete!”
Lidia Puga, PVMC’s language interpreter, has been good enough to arrange field access by medics to Telelanguage, the hospital’s language translation service.
Lidia arranged for Nextel access to the same interpreters used by hospital caregivers. We plan to put the crews’ Nextels in voice mode within earshot of the patient, then facilitate a three-way conversation between the patient, the operator and ourselves.
How would YOU like to have Santa visit your home on Christmas Eve? Platte Valley EMS has generously offered to bring Santa to your home to visit your child (age and location restrictions apply) on December 24.
Hurry, the first 40 families to send in their requests will be selected — we heard today only a few spots remain. To be registered, you must open this file and send it to Platte Valley Ambulance Services. If you have questions, please contact Carl Craigle at 720.685.8439.
Platte Valley Ambulance crews gathered at the Egbert Street station last week to celebrate mild-mannered EMT veteran, with 20 years’ experience, Mark Smith’s advancement to paramedic status. Mark has been juggling his work schedule, the needs of his family, paramedic student poverty, and the rigorous medic curriculum at Denver Health for what he calls “a really long year, one that will not soon be forgotten.”
For the next few months, Mark will partner with veteran Medic Lt. “Ples” until he’s ready to receive a normal field paramedic schedule.
Congratulations Mark!
Platte Valley Ambulance Service (PVAS) is pleased to announce that it has become one of the first EMS services named a Children’s Hospital Preferred Provider.
The mission of the Children’s Hospital EMS Preferred Provider program is to elevate pre-hospital and out-of-hospital care and transport of pediatric patients. The program represents a true partnership between Children’s Hospital Colorado and EMS agency/organizations.
The program reviews pediatric training requirements for EMTs and Paramedics and field protocols for pediatric treatment – including the provision of “kid friendly” medications. Finally, each emergency vehicle is inspected to assure that specified pediatric equipment is part of the vehicle’s inventory.
“We require our personnel to be PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) trained. In addition, some of our providers also hold certifications in PEPP (Pediatric Emergencies for Pre-Hospital Professionals), EPC (Emergency Pediatric Care) and NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program). We also have special pediatric kits that follow the Broselow pediatric color coding system and even provide the fire department with basic life support pediatric kits. This year, our clinical outreach focus includes pediatrics. We provide PEARS (Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization) training to all of our Brighton firefighters and have training sessions on Pediatric Respiratory Emergencies and Airway Management, Pediatric Spinal Immobilization, and kids with special needs – to include a detailed review of pediatric diabetes. Before the end of the year, we will have also provided education on proper car seat and seat-belt restraint of infants and young children as well as in-house PEPP certification classes,” explains PVAS Director Carl Craigle. “Through this comprehensive effort, our ambulance service passed the evaluation with flying colors!”
Platte Valley Ambulance Service is among the first four EMS agencies (out of almost 200) in the State of Colorado to receive this designation.
“In addition to this wonderful designation, our outreach efforts include providing injury prevention education, emergency evacuation, and special education and CPR/First Aid training to the Brighton 27J School District,” Carl proudly proclaims.
Eight Platte Valley team members joined EMS professionals from 18 states last week at the National EMS Memorial in Colorado Springs to honor 43 colleagues who died in the line of duty during 2010.
Medics Jenny Wheeler, Travis Graves, and Justin Trelease joined cyclists from around the nation in completing the final 80-mile-leg of the “Muddy Angels” national bike ride, which ended at the Memorial on June 25.
Anthony’s family members pose with PVAS #4.
EMT Mindy Brunick drove Ambulance #4 in the annual procession that guided cyclists to the welcoming ceremony. Ambulance #4 was named “Nugget” for medic Anthony Archuleta, who died in 2010. Platte Valley Ambulance Service cyclists presented Anthony’s dog tags and those of his partner, John Sutter, to their families. Anthony’s family got to see #4 “Nugget” for the first time.
PVAS crews posing at the memorial include Brian Gourdin, Mindy Brunick, Chief Carl Craigle, Travis Graves and Allen Stevens.
Over 150 providers from coast to coast attended the memorial ceremony, featuring EMS color guards from as far away as Boston, New York, Delaware and Pittsburgh, and Williamsburg, Virginia.
In other PVAS News…
On June 30, Paramedic Scott and Alexis Gordon welcomed their third child, Harrison.
Paramedic Scott Gordon, Left, and EMT Mindy Brunick examine a spinal cord as ambulance and ED colleagues look on.
Tracey Anderson, 2010’s Nurse Practioner of the Year and neuroanatomy specialist from the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, brought a human spinal cord and brains to PVMC last week.
Her goal was to illustrate the anatomy and pathophysiology for Platte Valley Ambulance crews. Medics and members of PVMC’s Emergency Department also took advantage of the unique opportunity to handle and examine the delicate structures close-up.
Paramedic Roger Saxton previews one of the new computers in ambulance #9.
Platte Valley Ambulances are now equipped with mobile data terminals – rugged computers capable of internet access and linked to the same mapping system as Brighton’s fire and police vehicles. The mounting hardware and electrical systems were installed during the past year in anticipation of the computers and the permissions necessary to use them.
The tough little laptops are connected via AT&T cellular links to a server in the Adams County communications center, where dispatchers are located. Those links not only make it easier for crews to route themselves to calls, but ease their medical charting process and improve the accuracy of data collection.
PVAS crews involved in last year’s “saves” pose for a photo. They are (from left): Capt. Ed Bevers (two saves), Capt. Dave Christenson, Steve Calfee (two), Nadine Birkholz (three), Capt. Justin Trelease, and Cindy Brown (two). Mindy Brunick is not pictured.
Thanks to early 911 access, early citizen CPR, top-notch first-responders, automated defibrillators in every police and fire vehicle, and great medics, Brighton’s 2010 cardiac arrest “save” numbers were about as good as the Nation’s best.
Four Greater Brighton area residents, between 54 and 71 years old, are alive and well today with no neurologic deficits, despite suffering cardiac arrests last year. That’s according to Platte Valley Ambulance Service’s (PVAS) 2010 Cardiac Arrest Outcome Study, which was completed this week. It reflects that PVAS crews were dispatched 52 times during 2010 for people whose hearts had stopped (out of 5119 total calls). Of those 52, 30 were declared dead on scene. Crews attempted to revive the remaining 22.
There are many definitions of “field saves” and many paramedic systems choose the easiest: return of spontaneous pulses (very few of those patients ever leave the hospital). PVAS adheres to the most rigorous (and realistic) standard, namely that people wake up, hug their families, and go home and mow their lawns.
It seems lots of people want to join Platte Valley Ambulance. We posted openings for a full-time EMT and two part-time paramedics last month, and had to close them 11 days later after 87 people applied. We’ll be conducting an all-day selection process for the finalists on Wednesday, May 4, in the Bistro and Conference areas (look for those snappy dress uniforms).
The rest of May will be busy too, with a steady schedule of community drills, standby events, classes, and demonstrations. We’re also planning a barbecue at Thom and Sue Hillson’s house on May 14th to kick off EMS Week, and to say farewell to paramedic Melissa Lunt. PVMC staff is welcome to join us if you’re in the neighborhood. The address is 2597 Skeel Street in Brighton.
It’s national re-accreditation time for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department, a process that happens every five years. In addition, half the team recently finished its National Registry renewals, and they also facilitated renewals for about half of Brighton’s firefighters and five of PVMC’s ED techs. Whew, way to go EMS!
In other EMS news…
Congratulations Melissa, we will miss you.
Paramedic Melissa Lunt will be leaving PVMC in June (O, Noooo!) to get married. Melissa and her fiancé, Tag Hopkins, will be moving to Sacramento where Tag will enter his MD residency.
Dr. Harrod is now the medical director for EMS.
We also have a new medical director. ED Physician Candace Harrod is gradually taking the reins from Dr. Williams. Dr. Harrod attended her first case review with us on March 9.
Crews met Saturday to honor former Platte Valley Ambulance Services colleague Anthony Archuleta, who died last year in a Texas aeromedical helicopter crash. They named their newly redesigned Ambulance #4 “Nugget,” because that’s how Anthony routinely addressed co-workers. The ambulance has been publicized nationally for its unique safety features, which include many unique improvements in patient and provider safety. Anthony was an original member of the group that recommended many of the safety concepts that are featured on this vehicle almost six years ago. Ambulance collisions kill an American EMT every week.
The new ambulance #4 was recently named after Platte Valley Ambulance Services former colleague Anthony Archuleta.
