NATIONWIDE IV FLUID SHORTAGE – WVEMS GUIDELINES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Due to the nationwide shortage of IV fluids, beginning immediately, EMS providers in the WVEMS Region will only spike and use a bag of Normal Saline (or any other IV fluid) if they are responding to the following categories of patients (unless otherwise directed by medical control):

• Hypotension, secondary to traumatic or medical issues
• Hypovolemia
• Cardiac Arrest
• All other patients should receive a saline lock until advised differently.

Download a copy of the IV Fluid Shortage Protocol Revision Memo from Dr. Charles Lane, Regional Medical Director.

If you have further questions, you can contact the regional council at wvems.org or at

WVEMS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. We strive to support our citizens, EMS providers, hospitals, localities and EMS/public safety agencies to the best of our ability. But we also need your support! All contributions, no matter how small, are greatly appreciated!

Patrick Henry Community College, in preparation for the 2014-2015 academic year, is conducting a NEEDS Survey. They are looking to add additional sections and courses to the EMS curriculum this fall but in order to do so, they need to be able to show the interest to support this. One of the new Program Director's main goals for the program is to make it “shift friendly” for providers already in the Fire/EMS service so that they are able to obtain advanced certification levels without the stress of it interfering a great deal with their work schedules, family life, and other obligations. They will appreciate your time in completing this brief survey in advance! If you have any further questions or suggestions that would help with reaching this goal, you can contact Kari Whitney EMS Program Director at (276) 656-0328 or kwhitney@patrickhenry.edu .

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 Regional EMS Awards! Follow this link for all the information you need to nominate your local heroes. Deadline: May 18!

Showcase your agency, your outstanding providers, your OMD, and others who are deserving of consideration for an award!

Once again, you have the opportunity to nominate someone for the Regional "WVEMS Benny Summerlin Award for Service to Local Government"  This is a very special award intended to honor someone who has demonstrated a 25-year commitment to service to EMS and other areas of local government in the ethical and dedicated manner demonstrated by Benny Summerlin. Summerlin, former WVEMS president and Henry County Administrator, was active in EMS and public service for nearly 40 years. Unfortunately, he died last year at the young age of 53.