7 incidents that defined the decade for EMS

From dangerous active shooter events, to ET3, Ebola, opioids and community paramedicine, EMS providers faced many significant incidents and evolving trends in the 2010s

December 27, 2019 02:08 PM •

The 2010s were challenging years for emergency services, with active shooter events, the opioid crisis and increasing risks for first responders. But the decade also is notable for promising innovations and enhanced EMS response models.

The decade brought a watershed moment in modern EMS with a new model for reimbursement, plus renewed focus on the role of EMS in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and a greater understanding of how the opioid crisis affects first responders.

As we move into 2020, we reflect on the past 10 years of emergency incidents and changes that defined the decade, and share some of SA国际传媒鈥檚 coverage of the events and issues.

2019: EMERGENCY TRIAGE, TREAT AND TRANSPORT MODEL

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services鈥� passage of the Emergency Triage, Treatment and Transport Model (ET3) recognized EMS as part of the healthcare system.

The new program establishes a five-year payment model aimed at increasing the flexibility and efficiency of prehospital systems.

The ET3 Model is a voluntary, five-year payment model aimed at increasing the flexibility and efficiency of prehospital systems.

Learn more about ET3

Learn more about the CMS Emergency Triage, Treatment and Transport Model with these resources from SA国际传媒:

2017: ROUTE 91 HARVEST FESTIVAL SHOOTING 鈥� LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

A gunman opened fire on 22,000 Las Vegas concert-goers from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Resort and Casino on Oct. 1, 2017. Fifty-eight people were killed and more than 500 were injured in the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. The incident critically changed the delivery of on-scene trauma care.

The number of casualties in Las Vegas exceeded those of the Orlando Pulse night club shooting to become the largest MCI in the United States since Sept. 11, 2001.

Learn more about active shooter response

Learn more about EMS response to active shooter events with these resources from SA国际传媒:

2015: AHA GUIDELINES UPDATE FOR CPR AND ECC

The American Heart Association鈥檚 2015 Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care in 2015 included the announcement that future updates would no longer continue at five-year intervals. The AHA has since transitioned to a web-based format that allows continuous updates that would eliminate the issue of new science making a recommendation obsolete soon after publication of a guidelines update.

2018-11-01 14.40.15.jpg — The AHA 2015 Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation updated the frequency for future updates.

Learn more about AHA guidelines

Learn more about the American Heart Association Guidelines update with these resources from SA国际传媒:

2O14: DEADLY EBOLA VIRUS STRIKES ON U.S. SOIL

Panic struck in September 2014 when four people in the United States were diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus. Emergency managers responded with in-service training to heighten awareness and make sure that staff was well-prepared in case the disease spread on U.S. soil. The outbreak was brief and limited, but educational efforts continue today.

The Superior Ambulance team practices transporting a patient with a highly infectious disease; Ebola in this scenario.

Learn more about Ebola

Learn more about Ebola and infectious disease outbreaks that threaten the U.S. with these resources from SA国际传媒:

2012: MASS SHOOTING AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The tragic shooting deaths of 20 first-graders and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012, illustrated how a safe emergency scene response begins with everyday use of a structure incident management system. When responding to the shooting in Newtown, Conn., the EMS operation was carefully integrated with law enforcement and other resources.

Firefighters and families gather at a staging area following the Sandy Hook shooting.

Learn more about school shootings

Learn more about the Sandy Hook tragedy and how to prepare to respond to school shootings with these resources from SA国际传媒:

ONGOING: THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC鈥橲 EFFECT ON FIRST RESPONDERS

The opioid epidemic that began in 1999 ravaged the nation throughout the 2010s. More Americans now die from opioid overdose than from breast cancer and the epidemic is negatively affecting U.S. life expectancy. The epidemic has posed numerous challenges for EMS responders: injury or accident during responses, exposure to communicable diseases and contaminated needles, compassion fatigue and burnout.

EMS has a role to play beyond responding to an opioid overdose and administering naloxone.

Learn more about the opioid epidemic

Learn more about the EMS role in the opioid epidemic with these resources from SA国际传媒:

ONGOING: COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE

EMS has, and always will be, the community鈥檚 health care safety net, but EMS has been transforming into its Healthcare 3.0 stage in recent years. This involves new opportunities for EMS, roles that meet the goals of amplifying patients鈥� experience of care, improving the health of the population and reducing health care costs. The 2010 decade was one of innovation of community paramedicine and mobile integrated health.

One barrier discovered during the survey was the concern about time commitment for additional duties.

Learn more about community paramedicine

Learn more about community paramedicine with these resources from SA国际传媒:

Active Shooter CPR Cardiac Care Community Paramedicine EMS News Infectious Diseases Legislation and Funding Mass Casualty Incidents Substance Abuse Year in Review

SA国际传媒 Staff