EMS Equipment

[overun2005]

Recently I have noticed the problem with equipment returns after taking a pt. to an emergency department (i.e. LSB, CID's and head/chin straps).

Example, I flew a pt. to York Hospital via Stat MedEvac. We had a long list of equipment that had been transported to York. I went to York to retrieve OUR equpiment and I ended up bringing Station 4's equipment back. While I was there I was told that "well, if your equipment has been for a long period of time it will disappear!".

Another example, we transported a immobilized pt. to a LOCAL emergency department, went back 2-3 hours later to find the pt. was discharged. We went to get our equipment and all we got was a LSB. We asked where the CID's and head/chin straps were and we were subsequently told it was thrown away.

With those examples, any other department having an issue like this?

[Brian McCaffrey]

You have only noticed this recently? Did you just get started in EMS?

Stuff gets "misplaced" on a regular basis. Sometimes, it gets red-bagged and tossed whther it is accidentally or purposely. Very few hospitals actually clean the prehospital gear and put it out in a cabinet.

I get to York and Hershey on a pretty regular basis and if I find any local Franklin County gear, I will bring it back. Right now, in my Jeep, I have a longboard from 21 along with the CID's and spider straps, courtesy of Hershey.

If at all possible, get someone to make a run to the Trauma Center/hospital, etc, as soon as possible. Every few weeks, we will make a run of the various hospitals in the region, just for the purpose of finding our gear. It also helps to know where the various ED's place the stuff they have had for awhile. Hershey buries it in a back room that is a biotch to find unless you've been there before.

As far as ED's throwing away gear, that is entirely believable. A number of years ago, the Dirty Utility Room at Carlisle ED was packed full of various company's equipment. Letters were written to every company that had gear there. I personally delivered alot of it to local companies, but there was a significant amount of gear left behind. I have a nice aluminum folding backboard now thanks to that. It makes oil changes a breeze. ;D ;D

Bottom line...mark your gear VERY WELL. Not just with a number or "Co. 3", etc. On longboards especially, put company name, address, phone number, etc. On smaller items, at least put name and phone number. Retrieve your stuff as soon as possible. Retrieve other companies' stuff when you get yours. They'll remember that and do the same for you next time. Realize that even a $200 longboard is going to become disposable at some point.

Above all...remember that no one else cares about your gear as much as you do. After all, THEY didn't pay for it.

[overun2005]

I appreciate your reply. THAT WOULD AWESOME if you be able to transport our equipment back to this region. Just getting it local and either call or stop by FVFD.

As far as the comment of just getting into EMS? NO...I have several years in EMS, but just took over management in 2004. So I was never really concerned if the equipment made it back or not. Now that I'm in management...ITS A BIG DEAL. The shiot isn't cheap.

Thanks again!

[vol4life]

I agree that getting equipment back from hospitals outside the area is an issue and I also agree sometimes we think it should magically appear at the station. I think marking the equipment better is part of the answer but it won't solve the problem. We bought back boards that are card board that come with straps and head restraints that can be thrown away buy the receiving facility after the pt has been removed from it. They are cheaper and can be burned if they are contaminated. Also I have asked the folks at Co 100 that if they get a transport North if they think about it look in the closet and gather up our equipment and bring it back to the station and we would get it from there. I know when we go to WCH and see equipment from a department that doesn't get down that way very often we bring it back to the station and let them know it's there or deliver it if we can. I figure every little bit helps!

[sexyemschic]

I've been known to make a run to all 3 locals in 1 night and if I go to WCH first then Wboro & Cburg I can grab anything that's a long way from home & sorta re-shuffle it closer, heck sometime's it's just as easy to drop it off at it's rightful home on the way by. Curteousy to fellow departments is something we need to work on in this county EMS and fire sides both guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BigFoot]

Chic, you are right. Even if you got the gear back to your station, you could always let the owner know it is there.

Super idea ;D

Don