Rory J. and Kathryn A. Blanchard Allied Health Scholarship

Healthcare and technology are both ever changing fields normally changing together for the better. In the world of EMS you cannot open the back of an ambulance without seeing multiple new and innovative pieces of technology, from monitors, airway assist devices, point of care labs and ultrasound. EMS is advancing and utilizing new technology to better our patients in the process. EMS is also utilizing new technology in the classroom to support the next generation of first responders, through the use of virtual reality to simulate actual calls to the use of new testing software to ensure EMS students are prepared for the future. Utilizing new technology in EMS is needed to improve patient care and outcomes. For example 12 lead EKG monitoring was not widely used or available until the early 1990's. EMS was able to utilize this new form of technology to save thousands of patients yearly. End-tidal CO2 monitoring was introduced into EMS revolutionizing the ability to understand our patients at the cellular level to see if they have adequate profusion, this also changed the way EMS confirms intubations and gives real time and continuous information into tube placement. Currently EMS is changing daily with new technological advancements, such as video laryngoscopy to assist with intubations. The implementation of video laryngoscopy has been proven time and time again to improve first time intubation attempts, in turn improving patient outcomes and decreasing the amount of anoxic brain injuries during intubation attempts. The integration of IV pumps into the EMS setting has evolved the way EMS administered medications pre-hospital. The implementation of IV pumps on ambulances has decreased the chance for medication math errors and general human medication errors. IV pumps have also allowed EMS personnel to administer and monitor multiple IV medications more accurately and safely. When looking into the future of EMS the future is bright. Advancements in point of care testing, such as ultrasound and bedside lab work is evolving the way EMS treats patients in the field. The utilization of point of care ultrasound has been proven to be beneficial in trauma patients as well as medical patients. Paramedics in the field are now able to perform ultrasounds in the ambulance, in order to assess heart wall movement in cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous circulation patients, perform FAST exams on trauma patients, identify ectopic pregnancies and multiple other uses. Utilization of point of care lab work will also change the face of EMS, Paramedics will be able to obtain and interpret lab values in the field such as hemoglobin, to assist in the decision for pre-hospital blood administration, or Troponin to assist in the decision making process of hospital destinations. EMS education is also evolving to assist in the creation of the next generation of first responders. Schools across the county are utilizing new software to test students to ensure they have the knowledge they need to care for patients. Educators are also using virtual reality so students can experience real calls and make clinical decisions in real time. Pre-hospital care is always evolving for the better, our goal as EMS providers is to care for the sick and injured. EMS must continue to utilize new technology for the betterment of our patients and communities.