PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE By Scott Cravens, EMT-B
10 MARCH 2015 | EMSWORLD.com
Program Helps Patients Breathe
WHILE I WAS DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS for
the debut of A&E;'s Nightwatch and the National
Association of EMS Physicians' annual confer-
ence, I was also able to visit with one of Acadian
Ambulance's community paramedics. Ashlee
Ellington works with pediatric asthma patients
in conjunction with the Louisiana Health Care
Connection (LHCC).
Ellington explains that during initial appoint-
ments with patients she discusses the program
with the parents; reviews the medical history
of the child and current medications; notes the
patient's asthma triggers; and outlines what they
need to do when they have an asthma attack.
"Patients are seen about once a week," she
says. "During those visits, we take the child's vital
signs and listen to their lung sounds. We have a
peak flow meter that we'll use with them."
One of the goals of the program is to cut down
on ER visits. "We make sure patients are using
their medications properly, or if they need refills.
I'll make doctor appointments for them as well,"
says Ellington.
When asked whether she misses working on an
ambulance, the answer is no. "I enjoyed working
on a truck, but this is a little bit more interesting.
I love working with the kids and getting to know
them. It's really rewarding."
For more information, see www.acadian.com/
acadian and www.louisianahealthconnect.com.
Visit EMS World's IHD channel for the latest MIH-
CP news: EMSWorld.com/integrated-healthcare.
Acadian's community paramedics work to reduce ED visits by
pediatric asthma patients
Community
paramedic
Ashlee Ellington
This
project
was
supported
by
Award
No.
2010-SJ-BX-K001
awarded
by
the
Bureau
of
Justice
Assistance,
Offce
of
Justice
Programs.
The
opinions,
fndings,
and
conclusions
or
recommendations
expressed
in
this
publication
are
those
of
the
author
and
do
not
necessarily
refect
the
views
of
the
U.S.
Department
of
Justice.
M A K E Y O U R F I R S T R E S P O N S E
T O A P E R S O N W I T H
T H E R I G H T R E S P O N S E .
A l z h e i m e r ' s
alz.org/frstresponders
Wandering, shoplifting and abuse are just a few things you may encounter when
responding to someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Learn how to be prepared
by taking our free frst responder online training at alz.org/firstresponders.
For More Information Circle 15 on Reader Service Card