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Department of Emergency Medical Services
Introduction
In conjunction with eight volunteer fire companies, the
Department of Emergency Medical Services provides emergency
medical services to the citizens of Caroline County. The
service operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
providing paramedic and basic life support medical services.
The EMS Department augments the basic life support service
provided by the eight volunteer fire companies and is the
primary provider of emergency paramedical services. The EMS
Department manages medical billing and the ambulance
subscription program.
Mission Statement
To improve the quality of life by providing Advanced Emergency
Services in a responsive manner to the citizens and visitors
of our community and to promote a Quality Emergency Medical
Services System with Caroline County.
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Advanced Life Support
This program provides the most advanced emergency medical
treatment to the citizens and visitors of Caroline County. The
program operates twenty-four hours a day.
Activities
- Detailed patient assessments
- Monitoring vital signs
- Administration of 28 medications
- Diagnostic 12 lead ECG monitoring
- Stabilization of traumatic injuries
- External cardiac pacing
- Pulse oximetry
- Medical First Aid at large gatherings
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- Transport to appropriate hospital
- Daily paramedic equipment checks
- Intravenous fluid administration
- Defibrillation / Cardioversion
- Endtidal CO2 monitoring
- Endotracheal intubation
- Transport to Specialty Centers
- Administration of AED programs
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Goals
- Maintain or reduce 8 minute response time (AHA
Standard)
- Support prevention programs
- Evaluate the reduction of death and disability by
conducting four outcome studies per year
- Maintain high provider skill level through continuous
monitoring
- Maintain12 lead EKG program to reduce death of heart
muscle to entire county
- Maintain Continuous Positive Airway Pressure program.
- Implement local jurisdictional treatment programs to
increase treatment options for patients
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Basic Life Support Enhancement
This program augments the basic life support services provided
by the eight volunteer fire companies. This includes Monday
through Sunday 5 am until 7 pm on the Denton unit, and on a
two day rotational basis on the Federalsburg, Preston, Ridgely,
Greensboro, Goldsboro & Marydel units. The EMS Department
personnel respond on all requests for emergency medical
services in the county. During the enhanced time period, four
transport ambulances are staffed with a minimum of two trained
technicians.
Activities
- Patient assessments
- Obtaining vital signs
- Stabilization of fractures
- CPR
- Equipment decontamination
- Various additional duties
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- Transport to appropriate hospital
- Ambulance preventive maintenance
- Control of bleeding
- Assist with administration of patient meds.
- Administer Epi Pen in life threatening reactions
- Daily & weekly ambulance cleaning
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Goals
- Provide four transport ambulances to assist the
volunteer fire company with reduced failure to respond
rate
- Evaluate, with established quality indicators impact on
reducing death and disability
- Maintain high provider skill level through continuous
monitoring and defined standards
- Prepare billing forms daily for delivery to billing
company
- Monitor patient billing collection rate
- Facilitate monthly BLS committee meetings
- Prepare reports for volunteer fire companies and county
agencies
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Department Administration
Responsible for the overall management and administration of
the department.
Activities
- Personnel management
- Grant administration
- BLS Enhancement program mgmt.
- Uniform ordering and maintenance
- Coordination with Vol. EMS providers
- Budgeting/Purchasing
- Vehicle Maintenance Scheduling
- Computer Technology management
- Monthly scheduling of personnel
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- Coordination of EMS activities
- Coordination of continuing education
- Monthly staff meetings
- Media relations
- Quality Improvement Program
- Infectious Disease Program
- Public Information and Education Program
- Sheriff's Department AED manager
- Quarterly informational newsletter
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Goals
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Career Day at Ridgely Elementary School
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- Improve personnel management through 4 departmental
shifts with assigned specific goals
- Continue to apply and administer grants
- Search for alternative funding sources
- Enhance personnel/station computer/technology
capability
- Implement State Funded EMAIS patient recording system
- Participate in state EMS level committee's such as,
but not limited to, Region Four Council, State Provider
Review Panel, Jurisdictional Advisory committee
- Increase Supervisor administrative time to Monday
through Friday for additional unit availability and more
effective supervision
- Create ambulance specifications for new ambulance
purchase
- Begin planning stages for EMS stations
- Appoint Public Information Officer (PIO) and Public
Information and Education Relations Officer (PIER)
- Create effective Special Events program to provide
EMS at county events and mass gatherings
- Create a County Bike Team to assist with the Special
Events program
- Continue increasing inventory of Central Supply to
reduce overall supply costs
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Other Web Sites of Interest
Maryland Institute for Emergancy Medical Service Systems
Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute
Billing Inquiries: Medical Claim Aid, Inc.
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