Wednesday, February 12, 2014

** In an effort to encourage drivers to cede the right of way to EMS vehicles, the country’s Corporation for Ambulance Services has decided to paint its rigs different colors as per the condition of patients inside. The Khaleej Times (Salah Al Deberky/February 7) said the novel concept, which is being touted as unique in the world, has the rear portion of the unit color coded, with images on the right and left sides depicting the type of patient. Pink is being used for pregnant women, dark green for bariatric people, light green for special needs, and blue for general use. Red paint, meanwhile, indicates critical patients.

** Houston is apparently facing a paramedic shortage. That, at least, is the word from News92fm (Ken Charles/February 10) which said the city city sports 100 fewer prehospital responders than it had in 2009. According to the news site, the city’s population now sits at 2.16 million. Some 350 paramedics serve this number. Between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012, medics answered some 232,000 calls or about 635 per cay. Union president Brian Sky Eagle said despite the increasing strain on EMS, budgetary considerations have prevented Houston from putting more resources on the road. Eagle said current collective bargaining is attempting, however, to address the situation.