2017 State of the Program
It’s hard to believe that we are already coming up on our seventh year in business. The incredible journey began with just a few EMT classes as a new allied health program in 2010 to having graduated thousands of students in the last seven years. I’ve been proud to hear from many of our graduates […]
Demystifying the Minnesota EMT Refresher Requirements
Introduction Minnesota has adopted the NREMT’s National Continued Competency Plan (NCCP). Great, another acronym to remember. Whenever you see “NCCP,” think NREMT refresher requirements. The full NCCP is 40 hours, and those hours are broken down into 3 components: NCCR (national – 20 hours), ICCR (individual – 10 hours), and LCCR (local – 10 hours). […]
NREMT Interstate Compacts
When two or more states work out an agreement and sign that agreement into law, it’s called a compact. Every state has about two dozen of these compacts covering everything from education, taxes, and mental health, to rivers and parks. Compacts are the reason the driver’s license you received in your home state is valid […]
12 Lead EKG Interpretation Parameters
Here are the practical EKG parameters to remember when doing 12 lead EKG interpretation. EKG Measurements and Calibration The smallest box on the paper = 1 mm on all sides A big box containing 5 small boxes = 5 mm on all sides Measuring Time Time is measured horizontally 1 mm = 0.04 sec = 40 […]
Case Study: Post-Traumatic Headache
Case Presentation The patient is a 47 year old woman with a history of traumatic brain injury who complains of chronic daily headaches, described as a dull sensation brought on by sensory overload, stress, and changes in barometric pressure. The headaches can feel very sharp. They are localized to the area of her head injury […]
The Rise and Demise of Regional Medical Programs
The current state of Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) in the United States is one of strict guidelines and standardized education all under the umbrella of national and state organizations, as anyone who has gone through training understands. Of course, EMS was not always this organized. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) was founded […]
Healthcare In 2017: What We Know So Far
In the recent election cycle, as it is in all modern elections, healthcare was a common thread. With the news of a win for Donald Trump comes the trepidation of some 20 million people who are insured through the Affordable Care Act, a law that Trump has been outspoken about repealing as one of his […]
EMT Training Requirements
EMT training requirements are fairly straightforward, but do sometimes vary depending on which state you will be seeking your EMT certification. The majority of states accept the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as the certifying body. So long as you take and pass an EMT course certified by the NREMT, pass the NREMT […]
New EMT Refresher Requirements for 2017
Many EMTs are already familiar with the standards for refreshing their license every two years. Up until March 31, 2016, taking a 24-hour refresher course and completing a formal skills exam fulfilled the MN EMSRB standards for license renewal. For those renewing their NREMT certification as well, it required the MN standards in addition to […]
What Can EMS Do to Treat an Opioid Overdose?
In 2014, drug overdoses claimed the lives of 47,055 Americans, with opioid overdoses driving the epidemic. Two years later, drug addiction and overdoses remain prominent issues in the United States. While overdoses can be deadly, timely medical services can save a life, and the proper follow-up treatment can ensure the person is not at risk of another […]