Live from Las Vegas... EMS World Expo!

This is the first time I have ever attended a large scale EMS conference (I understand that EMS World Expo is the largest in North America) and it has been incredibly fascinating networking and meeting people from not only the United States but Europe and Canada. As an advanced practice nurse in Emergency & Critical Care I have a different perspective than that of my pre-hospital counterparts, but what I have truly come to appreciate this week is the need for continued focus for the collaborative and integrative approach to care between pre-hospital and hospital personnel and organizations. And not just with direct patient care management, but with quality improvement, patient outcomes and community outreach initiatives.

We as healthcare professionals tend to stay close to our own kind but it is important to branch out and seek knowledge and learning opportunities from other disciplines as we are all working to the same end and have an important role to play. Getting a different perspective on issues or perhaps solutions can improve system processes and ultimately improve patient outcomes. I met some interesting people that share the same challenges and obstacles in their systems of care thousands of miles away and even on different continents; a great reminder that we are all doing the same work and trying to improve care delivery and patient survival. I am a huge proponent of working smarter not necessarily harder; we have a lot to learn to from each other if we just listen.

Check out some helpful links:

EMS World EXPO
EMS 12-Lead Blog

Using technology as a learning and reference tool

This past spring I made a giant leap in smartphone technology - I reluctantly gave up my Blackberry (TM) and switched to a phone with the Droid OS. I sincerely believed I was going to be sad and unorganized and go through Blackberry DTs but to my surprise I wondered why the heck I waited so long to make the switch to this teeny-tiny super computer! Since acquiring my Droid four months ago I have loaded it with all sorts of very cool apps, most notably nursing and medical calculators, references, and resources that are always available as quickly as my fingertips can slide and tap across the screen. Instead of carrying 4 and 5 pocket-sized reference books in my lab coat pockets I have my smartphone and iTouch ready and waiting.

One of the best things with apps is the portability and the availability to research or study almost anywhere. Which is why I am super excited to share the upcoming release of the 12-Lead Challenge App for novice, intermediate, advanced and expert clinicians both in the pre-hospital and hospital settings. This app will prove both challenging and educational whether you are just brushing up on skills, preparing for licensure or certification exams or just want to have some fun with ECGs. Look for it in the coming weeks where Apple and Droid apps are sold.

For more information click on the icon below: