Paramedics and emergency medical technicians with the Carmel Fire Dept. will be adding a tool to their emergency medical services over the next few months, which according a release from the city, will make them the first fire department in Indiana with this equipment.
The city recently purchased two portable ultrasound machines that will be used for life-saving techniques, which could also potentially save patients thousands of dollars. One machine will be used in the department’s mobile integrated health paramedic and the second ultrasound machine will be assigned to the city’s busiest ambulance.
Carmel Fire Dept. has been working with Dr. Michael Kaufmann FACEP, EMSMD and Dr. Robert Blankenship FACEP, both with St.Vincent Hospital and Health Services, to develop a training program for the firefighters and paramedics.
“Not being able to see inside a patient, we can only treat according to the signs and symptoms the patient is showing,” Kaufmann stated. “If the ultrasound shows a patient is bleeding internally or a chamber of the heart is not working as it should, paramedics can narrow in on a diagnosis. With ultrasound, they can see the issue, and treat it directly, and give the hospital time to adequately prepare for that patient.”
Portable ultrasounds will give emergency responders the ability to detect as little as six ounces of free fluids inside or around the lungs resulting from a traumatic chest injury. Other serious issues such as heart failure could be quickly identified as well. This could help with possibly forgoing procedures that are used to rule out such diagnoses; potentially providing definitive care while potentially reducing costs to the patient and the healthcare system.
“Public safety is Carmel’s highest priority. Adding equipment that gives our responders the ability to assess situations quickly and more fully gives patients a higher level of care and increases the chances for more favorable outcomes,” stated Carmel mayor Jim Brainard in a release.
Tom Small, Chief of Emergency Medical Services at Carmel Fire Department, said ultrasounds also will help paramedics with more routine calls.
“With some patients who have extensive medical history or poor veins, starting an IV can be difficult. Using ultrasound, the paramedic can quickly guide an IV into veins with little trouble, obtaining a critical access point for any needed medications,” he said.
Training with the ultrasound machines will begin this month for firefighters and could last up to four months.
