Syringa General Hospital - Protecting the Golden Hour

Overview

Protecting the Golden Hour aims to increase the number of qualified emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to ensure that residents and tourists have high-quality emergency care when needed. Bringing together regional ambulance services, emergency units, and rural hospital emergency departments, the program developed an adaptable system of training and coordination among 18 rural emergency medical service (EMS) units in northern, rural Idaho. The resulting online EMT training course was designed to create a stronger EMS system in the region. It also provided for three mass-casualty trailers strategically located throughout the region for use by rural EMT units.

Impact

The online training component eliminated the need for travel associated with EMT training, while decreasing the burden on the EMS units. A web page was also developed to coordinate information and communicate among EMS units. The training continues and has helped area EMT units maintain the quality and number of trained personnel needed to meet demand.

Challenges/success factors

The largest barrier for the program was limited Internet connectivity in the most rural areas, making it difficult to transmit instructional videos electronically. This particular region of Idaho is challenging for local emergency medical services to adapt and respond to demand for emergency services. A complicating factor was that EMT training required long travel, a commitment many interested individuals were unable to make, which had created a shortage of appropriately trained emergency responders. The course was most effective when a field representative delivered clinical instruction; however, some representatives were reluctant to adapt their techniques to accommodate the distance-learning format.

Future direction/sustainability

Grant funding allowed for much of the training program and trailers. As the online training has continued, hospitals have supported the effort by providing staff to supplement online coursework. As a result of the initial collaboration, area EMS leaders coordinate more regularly and share initiatives, such as a recent effort to provide defibrillators to area high schools.

Advice to others

Many rural communities may face similar problems with Internet connectivity, but online learning is more widely accepted now. Communities are upgrading Internet connectivity speeds, making it easier to replicate this project.

Contact: Bill Spencer
Facilities Director/Ambulance
Telephone: 208-983-8562
E-mail: bspencer@syringahospital.org