May 21st marked the start of National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week - a tradition of honoring a critical segment of first responders in the U.S. for nearly 50 years. This year’s celebration theme is “Where Emergency Care Begins,” which reflects the partnership between EMS teams and area hospitals.
Emergency medical professionals are the first to arrive in an emergency. These highly trained professionals work in ambulance services, fire departments, police force, and hospitals. Roles vary from paramedics, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders, and dispatchers, to the emergency medical physicians who supervise. These first responders work in tandem with local hospitals. Their communication with physicians and nurses, pre-hospital arrival, saves hundreds of lives a year.
“Northwest Health appreciates the meticulous planning, coordination, education, and training required by EMS teams to respond to critical incidents at a moment’s notice. These men and women are always ready to serve and we entrust the lives of our families, friends and neighbors to their care,” stated Ashley Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer for Northwest Health.
The vast majority of EMS services are still rendered in response to emergency medical situations, such as heart attacks, strokes and auto accidents. The level of care that EMS can provide during transport to a hospital has increased dramatically over the past decade, reducing the loss of brain and heart function, and saving lives that may have once been lost during transport.
I’ve had the privilege to work first-hand with many of the EMS crews who serve Northwest Indiana, especially those on our EMS team at Northwest Health. I can personally attest to the dedication and skills of these individuals. Our community is safer because of them,” add Dickinson.
The American College of Emergency Physicians warns against self-transport due to risks involved. They encourage calling 9-1-1 to access EMS when there is any chance you may be having a life-threatening event. Here are their guidelines for recognizing a medical emergency, and calling 9-1-1:
- Severe chest or upper abdominal pain that lasts more than 2 minutes
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Dizziness, weakness or fainting
- Vision changes, such as double or blurred vision
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
- Bleeding that won’t stop after 10 minutes
- Suicidal feelings
- Severe allergic reaction, such as to an insect bite or medication
Any emergency medical service will urge you to err on the side of caution and call them in one of these situations, rather than risk complications or death while transporting yourself or someone you know.
During EMS week and every week, Northwest Health thanks local and regional EMS professionals – and all first responders – for the lifesaving roles they play during crises both big and small.
About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is a comprehensive healthcare system committed to providing communities in Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible healthcare—from highly specialized care and surgical services to more routine primary care. The system includes three hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance service, and physician offices. A team of more than 3,000 employees work together with the more than 700 physicians on its medical staffs. For more information, visit NWHealthIN.com.
