New Patient Care Protocols
The College of Charelston Fire and EMS is pleased to announce that effective February 1, 2011 we are expanding the emergency medical services offered to your students, our faculty, staff, and campus guests.
Example of the adult and pediatric versions of the EpiPens carried on College of Charleston Fire and EMS vehicles.
For those unaware of our organization, the College of Charleston EMS is a student-run, volunteer organization that serves the College of Charleston campus and students in the surrounding community. Formerly known as the First Responder Unit, we have been in service on the College of Charleston campus since 1995. Since that time we have continually expanded our services, but the 2010-2011 academic year marks several of the largest steps we have ever taken.
In April 2010 the College of Charleston Fire and EMS was granted licensure as an EMT First Response by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC). DHEC licensure signifies that we meet the strict guidelines for emergency medical care set by state. As part of this transition, the College of Charleston EMS began electronic reporting of medical records through SC DHEC’s secure servers in August 2010. While DHEC licensure itself does not directly change the care we provide to our patients, it did mark a major milestone in terms of recognition at the state and national levels and opened the door to future expansion of our service.
We are therefore pleased to announce that beginning on February 1, 2011, the College of Charleston EMS is authorized to provide care up to the intermediate level. The most notable additions are that of epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) for use in allergic reactions and IV medications to treat diabetic emergencies. The new protocols also allow for the administration of IV fluids, aspirin for chest pain, and the use of new devices for controlling the airway of an unconscious patient.
Those interested in more information about the College of Charleston EMS should navigate to http://ems.cofc.edu/.