2009 Innovation Awards

   Given that most paramedic programs have many field sites, ranging from minutes to hours to, in some cases, being several states away, clearly the most efficient way to reach this target group is through the online platform, and that is exactly what FISDAP has done with its efficient and effective Web-based Clinical Educator Training program.

   Because Clinical Educator Training is online, scheduling is at the user's convenience. Work on it from home or anywhere you can get Internet access. Let's say you are working on the program at the station and you get tripped out for a call. No problem. You can stop and start as many times as necessary to complete the 4-hour program.

   Using educational videos and narrative, the subject matter is very well delivered in a very tight package. At the completion of each section, there is a short quiz that needs to be passed before moving on to the next section in the course. When you complete the course, there is a 20-question end-of-course examination to confirm that you have left the program with what you came for--basic knowledge of how to be a fair, objective field or clinical preceptor. Upon successful completion, you can print your certificate on-site for your records or to submit to your training officer for your file.

   For more: www.fisdap.net; 651/690-9241.

Fast Set-3 Moldable Splint Kit from Faretec., Inc.

   Splints are frequently designed based on a "form follows function" mind-set, which in many cases results in a splint that is very specific to its use, e.g., just for femur fractures or just pelvic fractures, etc.

   Conversely, there is always a need for a splint that has more versatility, giving it potential uses in multiple applications. Another desirable quality, though rarely found in splints, is one that can actually be form-fitted for displaced bones that can't be realigned, or for dislocated joints.

   The Fast Set-3 Splint may well be the magic bullet of splinting, because it has many of the desirable qualities I've mentioned. This is an easily moldable fiberglass splint that is activated by sprinkling a couple of drops of water on the cast. The inside of the splint has a soft lining, making for comfortable contact. During the 2 to 3 minutes it takes for the splint to set up, you can gently continue to form it to where you get the ideal combination of stability and patient comfort. You can even start to wrap the splint in place while it is still setting up, allowing you to make even more efficient use of your time.

   The Fast Set-3 comes packaged with a Salijet for activation of the splint and a wrap for securing the splint in place. One last perk: The Fast Set-3 is x-ray-translucent, so it can be left in place until a final disposition on how best to manage the injury is reached.

   For more:www.faretec.com; 800/322-3273.

BriteView Color Code Laryngoscope Blades from Hartwell Medical

   There are several good reasons to consider disposable laryngoscope blades given the many bugs and other bad things out in the land of infectious diseases. Because of that, improperly cleaned and/or poorly maintained hardware often causes big headaches down the line for EMS service providers, often at the end of a lawsuit.

   However, the convenience of a disposable blade doesn't mean much of anything if the device is too expensive to truly be a single-use throwaway. Nor is a blade worth considering if it performs poorly because it is so cheaply constructed. The optimal crossroad is where quality and value intersect, and that is indeed the case with the BriteView Color Code Laryngoscope blades from Hartwell Medical.

   Constructed of stainless steel from tip to heel keeps the BriteView blades from flexing or breaking under stress. Each blade is color-coded for instant size recognition, along with innovative package graphics making blade choice a snap even under low-light scenarios. In addition, each blade comes individually wrapped, so your entire blade set is well protected and easily stored. The BriteView blades feature a super bright light for excellent visibility and will fit any standard laryngoscope handle.

   The full set of BriteView laryngoscope blades includes five Miller blades from sizes 0-4 and four Macintosh blades sizes 1-4. Don't compromise product strength and reliability just to save cleaning costs and get the maintenance-free benefits of a single patient use blade. Get with your authorized Hartwell Medical dealer and take a look down a BriteView blade today.