Rogers strives to use the most recent technology and equipment available to EMS today. Our ambulance coverage, equipment, and protocols rank with among the highest EMS agencies in the state.  Rogers EMS operates under the Northwest Arkansas Regional Protocols with a few exceptions. Some of our key equipment and procedures utilized by RFD include:    

• Zoll E Series Cardiac Monitor with 12-Lead, NIBP, Spo2, Bluetooth, and Capnography

• EZ-IO

• CPAP

• Mobile Data Computer with GPS and AVL

• Stryker Power-PRO Stretcher

• Automatic Ventilator

• Evac U Mattress

• Use of ResQPOD's

• EMD Trained Priority Dispatchers

• RSI Protocols

• Induced Hypothermia Protocols

• Ability to clear c-spine

 

   STEMI "Heart Attack" Program

Coronary heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the United States. Rogers Fire is working to decrease the mortality rate of persons suffering from Acute Myocardial Infarctions (AMI) aka: "heart attacks".  Although paramedics carry drugs to reduce the effects of an AMI, surgery is the first treatment of choice. Seconds mean life and death and/or can greatly impact a persons quality of life after the event in these cases.  Once our paramedics recognize a STEMI "Heart Attack",  we use our cardiac monitors to send a patients EKG to a waiting hospital's computer and/or doctor's e-mail. We send this transmission from the patient's bedside.  While we treat and transport the patient the waiting hospital is already preparing for surgery. Patients are often able to completely bypass the Emergency Room and go straight from our stretchers to the Cath Lab. When using an ambulance for this type of event treatment starts from your house. Calling an ambulance with our abilities is recognized as a faster way to activate the Cath Lab then traditional ER triage.  

The national goal is for heart attack victims to make it from call to surgery in under an hour. With the help of this program, Rogers Fire consistently gets this done in around 30 minutes.
For instance, did you know that after onset of an AMI:
    30 min. = 10% loss of affected heart muscle.
    60 min. = 30% loss of affected heart muscle.
    2 hrs. = 50% loss of affected heart muscle.
    4 hrs. = 70% loss of affected heart muscle.
    6 hrs. = 90% loss of affected heart muscle.
    24hrs. = 100% loss of affected heart muscle.

The most relevant marker of time that has passed is the patient's onset of pain. Recognizing pain and other signs of an AMI, and then calling 911 does not just mean the difference between "life and death"- it can have a huge impact on the quality of life for the patient after the event. After an AMI with loss of heart muscle, some persons are unable to walk short distances or engage in any physical activity.

Learn more about how to recognize and react to a Heart Attack, Stroke, or Cardiac Arrest. CLICK HERE

 

Recent Changes

     Rapid Sequence Intubation: Rogers Fire is implementing RSI (new to the state of Arkansas) protocols.  This is an advanced medical procedure, designed for expeditious intubation of persons unable to control their own airways, but who are still too neurologically intact to accept an intubation tube. It is accomplished by administrating a paralyzing agent along with a few sedatives. Patients awake with no memory of the event and no long term effects. This is only used in extreme situations where it means the difference between life and death. A more common practice of this procedure is in the operating room of a hospital. RSI is used to  put people "under" just before surgery in some cases.

      Induced Hypothermia:  Therapeutic Hypothermia is a medical treatment that lowers a patient's body temperature in order to help reduce the risk of ischemic injury to tissue following a period of insufficient blood flow. Rogers Fire currently utilizes this procedure for patients post cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous pulse. This procedure gives these people a 40% better chance of survival. Patients who receive this treatment have a much better chance of leaving the hospital with little to no long term effects. Induced hypothermia is started by Rogers EMS with chilled IV fluids and is continued by local hospitals who have specialized equipment to keep the patient in this state. Without the cooperative effort of local hospitals it would not be practical for us to initiate this treatment.

 

EMS Advisory Committee

the EMSAC is comprised of paramedics from all shifts and a variety of ranks. EMS related equipment and protocols are determined and reviewed monthly. In addition this committee reviews ambulance runs for quality assurance on a monthly basis. 

EMS Advisory Committee Members

Jerabeck, Joseph	Hoyer, Jeremey	Qualls, Dusty
Humphery, Tony	Thompson, Cliff	Storm, David
Warzecha, Eric	Teetzen, Chad