Andrew Basile, BSN, RN, PHRN, CFRN, CMTE
Ground and Compliance Manager
 STAT MedEvac since 2018
UPMC since 2007
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Since 1981, we’ve proudly provided Medical Command services to EMS agencies, coinciding with the start of our Emergency Medicine Residency Program. Over the years, we’ve achieved many milestones, including the build of our new communication center, and today, we celebrate another significant one!Â
Ten years after launching the UPMC Medical Command program, we’ve captured our one millionth medical command report! Our UPMC Enterprise Development Services team launched the web-based documentation program on July 1, 2014. It now averages 100,000 reports per year!Â
 We want to give a huge shoutout to all our Communications Specialists for their incredible work and to our EMS partners who support UPMC Medical Command. A special mention goes to Eastern Area Prehospital Services for calling in the milestone EMS report and to Communications Specialist II Haley McClure for documenting […]
Needle Chest Decompression – Is the OG EMS Skill Still Effective and Useful?
This podcast, we talk about the OG EMS skill, needle chest decompression. Many EMS providers learn and practice it in their annual skills review. But how many have done it on an actual patient? Is it still an effective skill? UPMC-Presbyterian trauma surgeon, Joshua Brown, MD MSc overviews the latest research.
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It’s grilling season! It’s the best time of the year to get outside and cook some delicious food on the grill, but a recent statistic found that July is the peak month for grill fires. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 22,155 patients per year go to the emergency room because of injuries involving grills. It is imperative to take precautions for any type of fire, and to lessen the need for emergency services.
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Shane Taylor, FP-C, NREMT-P, EMSI
Sr. Professional Flight Paramedic II
Years of Service with STAT MedEvac – 3
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It’s that time of the year again… firework season! While fireworks are a fun summer tradition, fireworks have led to a heavy amount of summer injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 10,000 firework-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. last year, including 11 firework-related deaths. There are many precautions that should be taken when it comes to keeping yourself and others safe while setting them off. Here are some helpful tips to keep your summer gatherings safe: Â
Ronnie New
Sr. Manager, Risk and Safety
Years of Service – 11
Credentials:
A&P/IA Mechanic
Certified Safety Professional
M.S. in Occupational Safety Management
Fun Facts:
Since childhood, we have been told that we should be drinking at least eight glasses of water a day, but environmental factors and individual health needs could change your body’s needs during the summer especially. If you’re going to include more outdoor events or physical activities in your routine, it’s important that you continue to keep your body hydrated. Here are five ways to help increase your water intake: Â
Rachel Melezovic BSN, RN, PHRN CFRN
Flight Nurse
STATMedEvac 3
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Fun facts:Â
Migraines impact over 37 million men, women, and children in the United States. While much of the adult population has experienced a headache in their life, not everyone has experienced a headache disorder, such as a migraine. June is National Migraine and Headache Month; Shining a spotlight on these painful experiences. Â
Headaches and migraines are among the most common disorders of the human nervous system. Symptoms range from dull and throbbing head pain, piercing cluster pain, neck pain and tension, nausea, and hypersensitivity to light, sound and smells. When left untreated, chronic migraines can lead to depression, isolation, and self-medication. It’s extremely important that if you fear you have chronic migraines to consult a doctor. Â
Severe symptoms include:Â
