Massachusetts General Hospital - New Door-to-CT Process That Started January 28th Reminder
On behalf of MGH, we have been asked to send out a reminder to the EMS providers to notify their crews to utilize pre-notification with an ETA for suspected stroke patients. This will help ensure MGH teams are present as soon as the patient arrives. Below is the original email that was sent out to everyone.
If you have any questions, please contact Alexandra Arnold, Senior Project and Operations Manager, Quality & Safety, MGH Comprehensive Stroke Center, MGH Department of Neurology AARNOLD0@mgh.harvard.edu
Thank you.
Betty
The Massachusetts General Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center Team asked us to inform you they are officially moving to a door-to-CT process like most other hospitals.
Massachusetts General Hospital’s Door2CT process will go live in the Emergency Department on Tuesday, 1/28/2025. This process aims to significantly reduce their door-to-CT and door-to-needle times to ensure the best possible patient care.
Incoming stroke patients will no longer be roomed in the Emergency Department prior to heading to the CT scanner. There will be a brief check-in in the Emergency Department to ensure the patient is stable, then EMS will bring the patient to the scanner. This will only take a few minutes and is not expected to impact the time EMS is required to be in the Emergency Department. Upon arrival, the coordinator will direct you to the pit stop location (acute south coordinator desk) and then the team will direct you to the scanner (assuming the patient has been deemed stable), where the patient will be transferred off of the EMS stretcher.
The Emergency Department teams are aware of the new workflow and can help direct the EMS teams if needed. Massachusetts General Hospital wants to thank you in advance for your help in rolling out this new workflow, which they believe will significantly improve patient care.
If you have any questions, please contact Alexandra Arnold, Senior Project and Operations Manager, Quality & Safety directly AARNOLD0@mgh.harvard.edu
Upcoming White Powder Regional Symposiums
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Department of Fire Services, and the Municipal Police Training Committee are continuing to delivery Regional White Powder Symposiums around the state. Please forward to your members, as registration is required. This is free to all Massachusetts police, fire, EMS, and community health workers.
This training goes beyond responding to and managing an overdose patient. Join with police, fire, EMS, and community health workers to learn about the continued and updated threats when it comes to opioid responses. Hear from presenters on:
Current Drug Threat Environment, Trends, and Emerging Analysis
MSP Clandestine Lab Enforcement Team
Handling White Powder and the Clandestine Lab Treats to First Responders
DFS JHIRT and Hazmat Response Capabilities
Building Community-Level Coalition for Drug Overdose Response
Narcan and Teen Drug Use
Join us for the upcoming locations:
March 12, 2025, in Southbridge
March 21, 2025 in Holyoke
March 22, 2025 in Holyoke
April 14, 202,5 in Mansfield
Free goodie bags for each participant that attends!
4 OEMS credits available!
Log in through LMS, or if you do not have an account, contact CHARMAGNE.L.PEARSON@MASS.GOV to register!
Massachusetts General Hospital - New Door-to-CT Process January 28th
he Massachusetts General Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center Team asked us to inform you they are officially moving to a door-to-CT process like most other hospitals.
Massachusetts General Hospital’s Door2CT process will go live in the Emergency Department on Tuesday, 1/28/2025. This process aims to significantly reduce their door-to-CT and door-to-needle times to ensure the best possible patient care.
Incoming stroke patients will no longer be roomed in the Emergency Department prior to heading to the CT scanner. There will be a brief check-in in the Emergency Department to ensure the patient is stable, then EMS will bring the patient to the scanner. This will only take a few minutes and is not expected to impact the time EMS is required to be in the Emergency Department. Upon arrival, the coordinator will direct you to the pit stop location (acute south coordinator desk) and then the team will direct you to the scanner (assuming the patient has been deemed stable), where the patient will be transferred off of the EMS stretcher.
The Emergency Department teams are aware of the new workflow and can help direct the EMS teams if needed. Massachusetts General Hospital wants to thank you in advance for your help in rolling out this new workflow, which they believe will significantly improve patient care.
If you have any questions, please contact Alexandra Arnold, Senior Project and Operations Manager, Quality & Safety directly AARNOLD0@mgh.harvard.edu
Advisory 24-10-09 Baxter IV Solution Supply Disruption
The Department of Public Health issued the following advisory today:
“The Department is actively monitoring the disruption at Baxter International’s North Cove plant in North Carolina following the rain and storm surge from Hurricane Helene. This plant manufactures approximately 60% of the domestic supply of IV solutions, producing 1.5 million bags per day across several product lines.
As of Wednesday, 09 OCT 2024, Baxter has reported that it continues to scale production across its global locations and is working closely with FDA on temporary importation of products to increase available inventory. Baxter’s goal is to restart North Cove production in phases and return to 90% to 100% allocation of certain IV solution product codes by the end of 2024. Baxter stated that they are increasing the current U.S. allocation levels of their highest-demand IV fluids for direct customers from 40% to 60%, and for distributors from 10% to 60%, effective today. They have resumed shipments to hospitals and dialysis patients based on allocations. Information on products currently in shortage can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/updates-2024-hurricane-season/hurricane-helene-baxters-manufacturing-recovery-north-carolina
Additionally, Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, with anticipated landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast in the early morning hours of Thursday 10 Oct 2024. Of particular concern is B. Braun’s manufacturing facility in Daytona Beach, Florida. B. Braun holds approximately 23% market share in the IV fluids industry and has been working to increase capacity in the wake of Baxter’s impacts.
Action Steps:
While the level of impact is still dynamic, these supply chain disruptions may be impactful for ambulance services. It is critical to manage and identify conservation strategies - which should include:
• Completing a thorough assessment and maintaining inventory of all types of IV fluids,
• Evaluating clinical needs to forecast how long these levels will last,
• Work with additional vendors/suppliers to identify alternate sources and be aware of any delays/allocation, and
• Messaging this situation and need for conservation strategies to your field staff.
In addition to being prudent in the management of internal inventories, the Department recommends ambulance services prioritize the use of IV fluids utilizing these guidelines:
1. Be thoughtful and judicious in the use of IV fluids.
a. For example, do not preemptively spike and hang bags at the beginning of a shift or before assessing if a patient needs intravenous fluid.
2. Consult medical control if you are unsure if a patient requires IV fluids.
Sharing Critical Shortages:
As our health care system continues to navigate this developing situation, it is important to maintain communication and situational awareness. We would ask that critical shortages and no ability to resupply, which may interrupt the ability to deliver patient care, be shared with your Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC), who will also be the pathway to critical resource requests. The HMCCs are Department contracted to support cross-disciplinary planning and response including coordination of urgent and emergent resource requests – these groups will not replace your current vendors and supplies but will work across the health care continuum in a region to identify if other entities have any resources to share during times of emergencies. You can use the following resource to find out which HMCC covers your agency: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-health-and-medical-coordinatingcoalitions.
The Department is maintaining communication with federal partners and the HMCCs. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, please ensure that your EMS agencies are communicating with supply officers and distributors to confirm the availability of IV fluids and explore alternative suppliers if necessary.
Thank you for taking proactive and prudent steps and being strong partners as we work through the situation.
”
Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC) Meeting September 26, 2024
We have been asked to let you know that as part of National Preparedness Month, the Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC) is hosting an in-person Stakeholder Meeting with a special presentation on preparedness planning for civil unrest and protest events. As registration is required for the meeting, please see attached and below for more details.
The link to register is https://forms.office.com/r/3M1dKvQaen.
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Rosemary Recreation Center (178 Rosemary St, Needham, MA 02494)
Special Presentation: Civil Unrest & Protests: Hazard Review & Planning Discussion with Guest Speaker Suzanne Blake, Director MIT Emergency Management
Feel free to share this information regarding the meeting with your relevant coworkers/contacts and encourage them to register to attend.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Teri Clover MPH, Region 4AB HMCC Planning & Operations Coordinator, MRPC Duty Officer tclover@challiance.org.
Carney Hospital Permanent Code Black Notification
Carney Hospital is officially permanent Code Black for all transfers as of 7:00 AM today, August 30, 2024. Carney Hospital will be officially permanent Code Black for all other services at 7:00 AM Saturday, August 31, 2024. This is the official closure of the facility.
All services should have already determined alternate transport destinations. If you have any questions, go to https://www.mass.gov/info-details/carney-hospital-closure-plan which has the entire hospital closure plan or contact Stephen Davis, Division Director Stephen.Davis@mass.gov
Dedication Ceremony
The Massachusetts State Police is holding a dedication ceremony for Trooper Tamar Bucci on Monday, July 29, 2024, starting at 11AM. The Marble Street bridge traveling towards Winchester is going to be closed on Marble Street at Park Street. Traffic will be allowed to travel from Winchester into Stoneham over the bridge. The travel lane into Stoneham is going to be shifted over to the opposite side of the bridge during the ceremony. Traffic is expected to be significantly affected in the area. It is anticipated that the road closures and traffic shift will begin at approximately 9AM.
White Powder Symposium
SAVE THE DATE
Deadly White Powder - A Symposium on Illicit Narcotics
When: Friday, November 15
Where: Gillette Stadium
1 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035
Experts will provide guidance on current threats including fentanyl and xylazine, as well as guidance for testing and developing the Community Response Emergency Drug Overdose Teams (CReDO).
This event is free of charge to any Massachusetts law enforcement, fire, EMTs, paramedics, health departments and community service providers.
UPDATE: TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER OFF CODE BLACK - Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024
UPDATE: 11:43 AM: Tufts Medical Center is OFF Code Black and power has been restored.
Attention: Tufts Medical Center is currently on Code Black due to a power outage. Updates will follow as more information becomes available
Clinical Laboratory Program (CLIA) Testing Requirements for Ambulance Services
The Department’s Office of Emergency Services and Clinical Laboratory Program is issuing the attached memo to provide information to licensed ambulance services of the federal and state requirements relative to performing laboratory testing. Frequently Asked Questions regarding the federal CLIA certificate process as well as general testing questions is also being provided.
Ambulance services will be afforded one year from February 28, 2024, after which, possession of an active CLIA certificate and clinical laboratory license (where applicable) will be added to the annual OEMS inspection process for licensed ambulance services. Licensed ambulance services must submit, as needed, appropriate application materials and obtain necessary CLIA certificates and, if applicable, clinical laboratory licensure, before February 28, 2025 to ensure compliance with federal and state laboratory requirements.
Please contact the OEMS Ambulance Regulation Program at OEMS.Ambulance@mass.gov with questions.
Coverdell Learning Session in January
Even if you missed Session 1 in December, there’s still time to register for Session @
Session 2: Stroke Quality Improvement in Practice: Using Case Study Training and Review to Inform Clinical Decision Making in the Field.
When: Jan 11, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kf-CtpzMqGtaPL43G-Jmobqng24ZgTCLU
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Advisory 23-11-01 Mortality and Morbidity (M&M) Rounds Required for All EMS Personnel
From our friends at OEMS:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (Department) is issuing the below Advisory, to clarify for all ambulance services that the requirement for M&M rounds under affiliation agreements applies to EMS personnel at all levels of certification, including EMT-Basics.
Subject: Weather Related Waiver for Alternate Transport to Emergency Shelters
Please see the attached weather related waiver for Licensed Ambulance Services operating in EMS Regions 3, 4, 5.
Ambulance Traffic Update Lahey Burlington Starting May 12, 2023
Please be advised, starting May 12, 2023 at 16:00 through May 14, 2023 at 19:00 the normal route from Mall Road to the ambulance entrance for the emergency department at Lahey Hospital will NOT be accessible to ambulance traffic. The hospital has a crane scheduled for that weekend and due to the size of the crane the road will not be passable.
Attached is a map for EMS traffic to access the ED.
From Burlington Mall Rd all traffic will be diverted down South Bedford St to Kimball Ave.
From there all ambulance traffic can follow down Kimball Ave to Loop Rd and take a left.
Ambulances will still be able to come up the hill that they normally do at that point.
There will be signs directing ambulance traffic, as well as police details. We ask that emergency ambulances DO NOT use the main entrance, as this will cause confusion. Interfacility ambulance traffic can still access the main entrance during this time period.
We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause your crews and appreciate everyone's cooperation with this.
Any questions, please contact Patrick McGovern, NRP, I/C, Coordinator of Emergency Services T: 781-744-5137 | C: 781-975-1493 Patrick.mcgovern@lahey.org
Work on Surrounding Streets - BID Needham
We have been asked to notify you that there will be 2 roadwork projects for you to be aware of at the BID Needham:
1. Thursday, 5/11/23 the town will be digging trenches on Chestnut Street, which will shut the secondary entrance into the OCC (the entrance at the lights will be open).
Another trench digging at the Ambulance Entrance will close that entrance so ambulances will have to enter on School Street.
A third micro-trench will be dug by the Ambulance bay entrance, but ambulances will be able to use the bay.
2. Sunday 5/14/23 from 7:00pm to 7:00am (Monday) the town will be removing the pavement on Chestnut Street (the street will remain open).
3. Monday and Tuesday 5/15 – 5/16/23 Chestnut Street will be repaved, but again the street will remain open.
Police details will be on site directing traffic.
Ambulance Traffic Lahey Burlington
Please be advised we have been informed that this Saturday May 6, 2023 05:00-17:00 there will be a crane in the loading dock area off of Loop Road when entering Lahey Campus in Burlington. This crane project WILL NOT impact EMS accessing the emergency room. Please continue to enter the normal way. There will be police details if needed, however the contractor states both lanes will be open during this project. Please advise crews to use caution when entering and exiting the Lahey Campus.
If you have any questions, please contact Patrick McGovern, NRP, I/C, Coordinator of Emergency Services, T: 781-744-5137 | C: 781-975-1493
Register Now - MRPC Regional Preparedness Conference
Since the establishment in 2017 of the MRPC the 4AB region has prepared for, responded to, and recovered from multiple emergencies and events such as: extreme weather, power outages, flooding, facility evacuations, technology disruptions, mass casualty incidents and probably the most challenging, the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency. These events have provided a wealth of information and opportunities for improvement across the region and in each discipline of the MRPC.
The MRPC Conference Planning Team is very excited to bring coalition members from across 4AB together and provide an opportunity to share experiences and lessons learned from recent events, network, and most importantly collaborate and plan for the future during the upcoming full day conference at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood, MA on May 2nd.
The theme of this year’s conference “MRPC Regional Preparedness: Understanding the Importance of Collaboration” will emphasize the coalition's mission to enhance regional health and medical readiness for emergency events through collaborative, multidisciplinary planning necessary to foster a coordinated and effective regional response. Speakers from Massachusetts will provide information that is applicable to all discipline members.
In addition to the great presentations, please take advantage of the additional opportunity to showcase local or regional projects and let the region know about all the 4AB Health Care Heroes.
This conference is free to all members! The attached flyer outlines all the information regarding the conference and how to register. The conference is sponsored by the Metro Regional Preparedness Coalition through a contract with Cambridge Health Alliance and the Metropolitan Boston Emergency Medical Services Council, Inc. (MA EMS Region IV). Funding for this conference was made possible (in whole or in part) by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management.
If you have any questions, contact hmcc@challiance.org - Subject line: “MRPC Regional Conference”.
Crane deployed in SSH ambulance bay starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 13
On Sunday, November 13, a crane will be deployed in the ambulance bay from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. The crane is required to remove a temporary air handling unit and equipment from the roof.
Impact:
· Alternate ambulance access established (see below).
· Limited ambulance bay parking will be available.
· All ambulance traffic will use alternate access to the South parking lot for patient drop-off and pick-up.
· Pedestrian and vehicle traffic will be modified in the work zone.
Mitigation:
· Weymouth Police and Public Safety details will be present to assist with access and direct ambulance traffic.
· Directional signage and traffic barriers will be installed.
· South parking lot designated area for patient drop-off and pick-up.
· A crane lift plan was established.
· An Interim Life Safety Measure Assessment and Pre-Construction Risk Assessment will be conducted.
· Work and fall zones will be identified and secured with safety cones and caution tape.
· Crane spotter will be assigned to the ground for safety and to direct crane activities.
Special Event with McLean Hospital
Alzheimer's Disease & Healthy Brain Aging
LIVE ZOOM PRESENTATION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17 | 7 P.M.
With special guests from McLean Hospital
Did you know 35% of dementia risk may be preventable through certain activities and lifestyle choices?
Join Dr. Forester and Dr. Patrick for scientific updates on factors that can impact healthy cognitive aging in your daily life.
Chronic Disease & Condition Management
Activity Goals & Benefits for Adults 65+
Nutrition: Mind Diets
Cognitive Stimulation
Social Engagement for Brain & Body
Relaxation Techniques & Benefits
Dangers of Poor Sleeping Habits
Register For This Special Event
BRENT FORESTER, MD, MSC
Dr. Forester is the chief of the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean Hospital, president of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry and a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. His research focuses on novel treatment approaches to disabling behavioral complications of dementia, such as agitation and aggression.
REGAN PATRICK, PHD
Dr. Patrick holds a clinical and research position within the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Psychiatry and the Neuropsychology Department at McLean Hospital. His clinical work focuses on neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment. His research uses cognitive and brain imaging techniques to better understand psychiatric and cognitive disorders.
Our Bridges® Locations:
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