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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency medical services

Integrating Safety in the Rural Transportation Planning Process
Provides techniques for integrating safety into the planning and program process at the local and state level to assure rural roads are safe and accessible for a variety of multimodal needs including emergency medical services and use by fire departments and law enforcement.
Author(s): Nicole Waldheim, Susan Herbel, Carrie Kissel
Date: 11/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Transit Administration
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How EMS in Rural Methow Valley, Washington, Coped with a Devastating Wildfire
Describes the emergency medical service (EMS) response in the aftermath of a wildfire, in which patients and providers were cut off from hospitals, 911 coverage, and power. Shows the importance of advanced preparedness and planning by rural EMS agencies.
Author(s): Cindy Button
Citation: JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services), 39(10), 46-9
Date: 10/2014
Type: Document
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Responding to Medical Surge in Rural Communities: Practices for Immediate Bed Availability
Describes strategies and practices that enable local health departments and healthcare organizations serving rural areas to assist their communities during emergencies resulting in medical surge. Explores ways to ensure adequate levels of care for all patients, including telehealth services and integrated information sharing systems.
Date: 09/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Paediatric Trauma on the Last Frontier: An 11-Year Review of Injury Mechanisms, High-Risk Injury Patterns and Outcomes in Alaskan Children
Describes the development of a pediatric trauma system in remote, very rural, and urban Alaska from 2001 to 2011 using trauma data for all children 17 years and under. Includes comparative data for the type of injury and frequency, geographic region, high risk patterns, and outcomes.
Author(s): Christopher W. Snyder, Oliver J. Muensterer, Frank Sacco, Shawn D. Safford
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 73(1)
Date: 08/2014
Type: Document
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The New Blue H: A Report on the Findings of the 2014 Rural Health Workgroup, a Partner Project Between the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Hospital Association
Outlines a comprehensive proposal addressing access to healthcare for rural populations in Washington. Considers the entire continuum of care from wellness and prevention to acute and long-term care, and includes a focus on hospitals and new models of healthcare delivery.
Date: 08/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
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A Systems Development Guide for Rural Emergency Medical Services: A Systematic Approach to Generate Budgets for Rural Emergency Medical Services
Guidebook designed to help rural emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency response systems with development, modification, consolidation, and collaboration. Discusses EMS system upgrades, administration, funding, and budgeting.
Additional links: How to Use the EMS Budget Generator, Rural EMS Budget Generator
Author(s): Cheryl F. St. Clair
Date: 08/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Rural Health Works
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Pediatric Emergency Care Capabilities of Indian Health Service Emergency Medical Service Agencies Serving American Indians/Alaska Natives in Rural and Frontier Areas
Analyzes the Indian Health Service's (IHS) emergency medical services (EMS) agencies providing services for children. Discusses the importance of EMS services for healthcare access and challenges IHS EMS agencies face.
Author(s): Andrea L. Genovesi, Betty Hastings, Elizabeth A. Edgerton, Lenora Olson
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 14(2), 2688
Date: 05/2014
Type: Document
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Rural Emergency Medical Technician Pre-Hospital Electrocardiogram Transmission
Rural communities face challenges to rapid emergency response services for heart attacks, mostly related to prolonged travel time. As a strategy to address this, this research article sought evidence of the risks and benefits associated with electrocardiogram (ECG) protocols, which urban ambulance teams staffed with paramedic level providers have been successful in implementing.
Author(s): Angela Powell, Joshua Halon, Jessica Nelson
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 14(2), 2690
Date: 05/2014
Type: Document
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Blueprint for Community Paramedicine Programs Especially for EMS Agencies
Describes implementation of a Community Paramedicine program in Abbeville, South Carolina, and identifies ways that emergency medical technicians can expand their roles in order to bridge healthcare gaps in rural areas. Includes strategies for program promotion and evaluation.
Date: 03/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Office of Rural Health
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Emergency Department Visits for Non-Traumatic Dental Problems in Oregon State
Reports to the Oregon Oral Health Funders Collaborative in two parts: Part I Emergency Department Claims Analysis and Part II Qualitative Interview Analysis. Includes data from rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Benjamin Sun, Donald L. Chi
Date: 03/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Washington
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