Since the inception of Manheim Township Ambulance Association in 1971, we have concentrated heavily on the providing quality EMS service to the community. This of course is akin to the same efforts that every quality service concentrates on, such as expedience, quality of care, and trying to remain on the edge of clinical medicine.
Beginning in January 2009, this concentration will begin to see an expansion. Manheim Township Ambulance Association, located at 1820 Municipal Drive, in Manheim Township, Lancaster County developed a vision to coordinate a large scale public outreach and education effort. Tasked with this effort, under the oversight of Director of Operations Dave Smith, the plan was established. As it stands, we have developed a number of initiatives, all slated to begin between January 1st and March 31st which aim to minimize morbidity and mortality while further solidifying our deep community connection.
As an industry, we must conclude that even the most progressive clinical EMS systems will not be successful in morbidity reduction within the population they serve alone. Looking at such model systems as King County Medic One in Seattle and the Queensland Ambulance in Australia, even the most progressive services are taking a multi-tiered approach to morbidity reduction. Success in saving lives begins with in the hands of the laypersons in our community.
Beginning in mid March, we will be beginning a fall prevention program, akin to many fall prevention initiatives within the geriatric health care community. With the support of the Department of the Aging, as well as a number of geriatric aging organizations within our county, the goal is simply to reduce the number of “recurrent falls” within the region we serve. Those patients that fit within the criteria will be referred to our service, assessed, and connected to a durable medical equipment company for the installation of fall prevention devices. This program has been successfully implemented with several services within the country, with significant successes in recurrent fall reduction.
A community based CPR initiative beginning in early January which takes aim at educating a large percentage of residents and business owners in CPR. Taking into consideration the current economy, this will prove to be the most difficult undertaking of any of the programs we are opening. At this time, we will begin a door to door public relations push to bring as many of our residents to our programs. This combined with an alliance with a regional online CPR provider, we intend on training 15% of the residents and business owners on our entire township (approximately 3500 people) by the close of 2013. Saving lives truly begins with the layperson, and to reduce morbidity and mortality, we must concentrate on this task.
Prevention begins in the hands of the community as well. While many PSA programs are periodic, we intend on beginning a comprehensive community awareness program beginning in March 2009. This program calls for agreements with local business and industry, to distribute information to local residents regarding a quarterly health topic. Lectures at local retirement communities and civic groups combined with the movement towards developing PSA’s to be played via both television and radio will allow for all types of learning to be utilized.
These are just a few small examples of a plethora of programs we are slated to begin. We have come to the conclusion that the EMS industry as a whole must position themselves as a needed facet to the healthcare industry, and we hope to be the beginning of a larger movement.
Community connection is the key to true success as an industry, and as a service. Consider this program, or something similar for your own service. Look at your population, and position yourselves to become a true part of your patients’ healthcare team. Your patients will thank you for it.
James Weber, EMT
Community Outreach and Education Coordinator
Manheim Township Ambulance Association
