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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2004)
t Air Currents r III n[ r i i i II 11f S exposures in children under the age of six during that same time period. J FROM FL I GHT THE (: R E w The Air Life clinical staff handles medical emergencies every day, but they also have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to safety, minor injuries and ailments. In this issue, our perinatal flight nurse Sue Standly, RNC, shares tips on Lead Poisoning. Though it hasn’t been a top news story since pencils switched to graphite, lead poisoning remains an important preventable public health problem. Children can be exposed to lead through a variety of sources - often in ways parents and grandparents might not suspect. Although ingestion of paint dust from lead based paint remains the most significant source of lead exposure in children, lead can be present in unsus pected objects which, when ingested, can result in elevated lead levels. Lead can be present in curtain weights, fishing sinkers, lead shot/pellets and clothing accessories. As we all know, children have a fondness for put By regulation, paint or surface coatings may not contain more than 0.06 percent lead content on items intended for children. For all other products not intended for children, the hazardous amount of lead is determined on case-by-case basis. Although testing for lead hazards is recommended prior to the sale, it is not required under current federal regulations. That’s one reason it's so important to watch out for little ones around the house. That fishing sinker isn’t just a choking hazard, it might also be a risk for lead poisoning. Sue Standly, RNC ting things in their mouths. In 2002, the American Association of Poison Control Centers received over 80,000 calls regarding ingestion of foreign bod ies, toys and miscellaneous objects in children under the age of six. Though it’s unknown how many of these cases involved lead foreign bodies, poison cen ters received 6,000 calls about lead Where Else is Lead Lurking? Lead can be found in curtain weights, fishing sinkers, lead shots/pellets and clothing accessories. But did you know about these potential sources of lead poisoning? ♦ Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings. ♦ Materials used in making stained glass windows. ♦ Lead pipes, solder, brass fixtures and valves can contain lead that can contaminate drinking water. ♦ Home health remedies arzacon and greta (used for upset stomach or indigestion) and pay-loo-ah (used for rash or fever). Symptoms of lead poisoning can include irritability, lethargy or hyperactivity, abdominal pain, constipation, or vomiting. If you suspect your little one may have ingested an object containing lead, call 911 immediately and seek medical help. Try to keep the child calm. And as always, prevention is the most important factor. If it’s big enough to fit in a child’s mouth, it should be kept safely out of reach. Membership dollars benefit patients in unexpected ways Funds from membership fees help ground and air programs gain lifesaving skills and equipment Most people already know the perks of membership with Air Life or any of our FireMed affiliates — protection from out- of-pocket costs for emergency transport is a pretty good deal. But most people aren’t aware of the flurry of fringe bene fits those membership dollars create behind the scenes — benefits you may very well reap in the future. “We’re now able to provide a higher level of care to our patients,’’ explained Division Chief Dave Pickhardt. “These defibrillators are the most technological ly advanced systems for pre-hospital care. They’re the same as what’s used on the Air Life aircraft.” The new systems are particularly critical when Redmond crews respond to rural areas and every second is critical. “With this equipment, we can send a fax of the patient’s vitals from a ranch in Powell Butte to the ER," he added. On the Air Life end of the spectrum, Air Life ground affiliate Redmond Fire & membership dollars have played an inte Rescue recently put membership gral role in operations for more than 19 revenue to good use by purchasing new years. Most recently, membership rev defibrillators for emergency response enue helped fund the SimMan® training vehicles. The defibrillators allow para aid to allow the clinical team to practice medics to shock a heart back to a regu lifesaving trauma skills ranging from lar rhythm. The intubation to monitors also inserting a chest allow para tube. medics to see a patient’s heart “With any skill, the rhythm and more you practice, obtain 12 lead the more it cardiac trac becomes routine,” ings. oxygen explained Michele levels, blood Moore, Air Life’s pressure and lead flight respira other details. tory therapist. “This By combining piece of equipment $20,000 in will make sure the Paramedic student Dan Meyer (left) and paramedic Jim Robinson, membership flight team’s skills of Redmond Fire & Rescue inspect the new defibrillators that revenue with are as sharp as were funded in part by membership dollars. $76,000 from they can possibly the City of be so they’re ready Redmond and a $3,000 grant from to deal with every emergency and Air Life. Redmond Fire & Rescue has trauma scenario imaginable." made sure patients in their service area Though Air Life manages the member have access to the best lifesaving equip ship programs for 11 ground EMS agen ment available. cies, each agency decides how to use membership revenue. Typically, however, those funds are earmarked for training and equipment — something Air Life Membership Coordinator Wanda Grindstaff says is a benefit for members. “When people write that check for their family membership, they don’t usually realize that money is helping to pay for equipment that might save someone’s life,” she explained. “That $45 or $80 check could make all the difference for someone’s mother, father or child." Air Currents Staff E ditor Tawna Fenske tfenske@scmc.org ( 541 ) 617-2688 For more information about Air Life, contact: Director Vern Bartley vbartley@scmc.org M em bership Coordinator Wanda Grindstaff wgrindst@scmc.org or visit our Web site at wwnv.airlife.org trcamts Cm m m tm on A tcnéU hm ut M e ita i D atsprt S fslm s Accredited since 2001 Publication Title Air Currents Issue Date May 10. 2004 Statement of Frequency Three times per year Authorized Organization's Name and Address Air Life of Oregon 2SOO NE Neff Rd. Bend. OR 97701 (S41) 385 6305 1 800-353-0497
