CCMH Honors EMS Professionals during National EMS Week
May 22, 2023
CARROLLTON, Mo. – Carroll County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) is celebrating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week 2023 by recognizing the partnership between the hospital and local emergency medical services.
The annual EMS Week campaign, which honors the men and women who provide emergency medical services to our communities, takes place May 21-27. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) set the theme for 2023 as “Where Emergency Care Begins.”
EMS Week brings the EMS community together and acknowledges the accomplishments of EMTs and paramedics, while building awareness of their important role in the communities where they live and work. Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury.
“Rural EMS can be a highly challenging environment,” said Charisse Bauer, CCMH Emergency Room (ER) Registered Nurse (RN)/Carroll County Ambulance District (CCAD) Paramedic. “The response area is huge and unpredictable. EMS crews here at CCAD might run a simple lift assist in city limits, then head 25 minutes across the county to resuscitate someone and fly them to a regional specialty center from a corn field. This county is blessed with an excellent medical director at CCMH, a heads-up emergency department and willing Fire and First Responder support. Ambulance crews here are all ages and experience levels, but work together to get suffering and sick people where they need to be.”
“As an ER RN, I appreciate their work,” said Bauer, RN, BSN. “As a Medic, I love being one of them. Have a blessed and safe EMS week!”
The emergency medical services system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other out-of-hospital medical care providers.
“When my family member has needed their services, they have always been concerned with her needs,” Alana Wilson said. “They have never treated her like the call wasn’t necessary or important. They are always polite, courteous and respectful to her and to the family that is present in her time of need.”
Timely intervention from medical professionals, before a patient reaches the emergency department, can make all the difference in a crisis. “Where Emergency Care Begins” reminds the public of EMS’s most important mission – the ability to respond appropriately to the most urgent emergencies, and to provide critical interventions in the field that save lives and reduce long-term disability
“Our EMS are professional, knowledgeable, skillful and always willing to help out in the ER when needed,” said Becky Cook, CCMH ER Registered Nurse.
“EMS practitioners demonstrate their commitment to their patients countless times every day, often in difficult circumstances – whether it’s providing care on the side of a highway, carrying a patient down multiple flights of stairs or across treacherous terrain, or being in situations where their own safety isn’t guaranteed,” said NAEMT President Susan Bailey, MSEM, NRP.
“We appreciate the CCAD crew and their dedication to this community,” said Holland Windsor, CCMH ER RN. “Whether they are bringing us a patient in to the ER or transferring a patient to the city for us, I know our patients are in skilled, professional and compassionate hands. Our community is lucky to have them.”
Six of the days of EMS Week center around a specific theme, and first responder organizations are encouraged to plan activities and events around these themes in their communities:
- Sunday, May 21: Health, Wellness and Resilience Day
- Monday, May 22: EMS Education Day
- Tuesday, May 23: EMS Safety Day
- Wednesday, May 24: EMS for Children Day
- Thursday, May 25: Save-A-Life Day (CPR & National Stop the Bleed Day)
- Friday, May 26: EMS Recognition Day
“We are blessed to work with such great EMS services,” said Deborah Smith, RN, CCMH Director of Emergency Services. “Thank you to our surrounding ambulance districts and first responders for being an amazing community partner to all we serve.”
CCCMH is grateful for the partnerships formed with Carroll County Ambulance District, Chariton County Ambulance District, Lafayette County Ambulance District, Livingston County Ambulance District, Carrollton Fire Department and all other first responders it’s been honored to work with over the years.
For more information about the services at Carroll County Memorial Hospital, visit our website http://www.carrollcountyhospital.org or call 660-542-1695.
Carroll County Memorial Hospital (CCMH), the area’s premier healthcare resource, is a 25-bed Critical Access facility serving Carrollton and the surrounding communities. It offers 24-hour emergency care, specialized services such as advanced diagnostics, post-acute skilled care (swing bed) and comprehensive family care. CCMH is dedicated to the Health and Well Being of All We Serve. For more information, visit carrollcountyhospital.org.