Am I the only person disgusted by this??

[VentMedic]

As a former PIO, the EMT supervisor's response to the media was pretty good. I'd almost wonder if he wasn't already experienced with giving statements in a past life. Good job on his part getting the "atta boy" in there from Travolta.

In the past few years, many folks in EMS are not used to hearing media statements from one of our peers. And when they do, there seems to always be a few who are taken back. EMS clearly needs to become more aggressive in working with the media.

I've seen many times where EMS squandered opportunities to promote themselves on the evening news. In the hands of a proficient PIO, an EMS provider can get a tremendous amount of PR mileage from the boob tube watchers!

When EMTs and Paramedics start the "kiss and tell" crap on the evening news you will see some ambulance companies losing their contracts with hospitals and LTC facilities that don't want to risk their patients' right to privacy. They may not want a press conference called each time Mr. Celebrity is transported to and from one of their facilities so the EMT(P) can get some face time with the camera to boost the ratings of EMS. Whatever information that is appropriate to be released should be left to the PIO.

Patient care is not a media event just for EMS to promote itself. There are other ways that the needed publicitiy can be done through a working relationship with the media but NOT at the expense of someone's privacy. And is that all it is about for some in EMS is getting an "atta boy" from a celebrity on TV? Get the priorities straight.

 

[medic417]

When EMTs and Paramedics start the "kiss and tell" crap on the evening news you will see some ambulance companies losing their contracts with hospitals and LTC facilities that don't want to risk their patients' right to privacy. They may not want a press conference called each time Mr. Celebrity is transported to and from one of their facilities so the EMT(P) can get some face time with the camera to boost the ratings of EMS. Whatever information that is appropriate to be released should be left to the PIO.

Patient care is not a media event just for EMS to promote itself. There are other ways that the needed publicitiy can be done through a working relationship with the media but NOT at the expense of someone's privacy. And is that all it is about for some in EMS is getting an "atta boy" from a celebrity on TV? Get the priorities straight.

My guess is the publicity guy was not saying give out that info. Hopefully he will advise as I asked. Perhaps you are jumping to quickly to think badly of what we are doing.

 

[karaya]

When EMTs and Paramedics start the "kiss and Patient care is not a media event just for EMS to promote itself. There are other ways that the needed publicitiy can be done through a working relationship with the media but NOT at the expense of someone's privacy. And is that all it is about for some in EMS is getting an "atta boy" from a celebrity on TV? Get the priorities straight.

Let’s get one thing clear. I never suggested nor endorsed that patient privacy be violated for the sake of a media interview. Nor did I suggest just anyone in EMS should conduct interviews. I did state in my thread, “in the hands of a proficient PIO.”

I’m not a neophyte in the media industry. I spent years as a PIO and I can tell you from experience that I can conduct an interview and provide certain facts and do so without ever divulging one shred of the patient’s PHI. I’ve been a strong advocate for patient privacy particularly when it comes to scene photography and I have authored articles as well as lectured on the subject as well. I’ll be conducting a four-hour pre-conference this May at the IAFC’s Fire Rescue Med Conference in Las Vegas.

I’ve been critical of EMS for the past decade for not better understanding the essentials necessary to conduct media interviews and not run afoul of privacy issues. This includes state and federal laws such as the misunderstood and often over-reacted HIPAA. I’ve watched and participated recently in major disasters and was aghast how horrible EMS mishandled the media. Opportunities to inform the public via the media were sent adrift with the floodwaters and with that opportunities for EMS gain much deserved recognition.

As far as my “atta boy” comment. We live in a tabloid society and unfortunately many folks tune in just to hear what a celebrity has to say, especially one who tragically lost his son. So when the celebrity takes a moment to acknowledge those who worked to try and save his son’s life, that in itself is very worthy of some print.

 

[VentMedic]

As far as my “atta boy” comment. We live in a tabloid society and unfortunately many folks tune in just to hear what a celebrity has to say, especially one who tragically lost his son. So when the celebrity takes a moment to acknowledge those who worked to try and save his son’s life, that in itself is very worthy of some print.

Some we cheapen EMS to the standards of a supermarket tabloid? Cash in on this tragic moment to do a little promotion? That could bring as much bad publicity and questions as it already has by the comments on the web concerning this issue and some of the others in the past. EMS is sometimes just as responsible for its own bad press as the media that is quick to pick up on anything that might sell a newspaper.

You have chosen the media as your profession and that is your focus. Those in a medical profession should concentrate on the patient and their needs.

If the profession wants respect they should start with those in the medical professions by publishing articles in the journals. Having other professionals in medicine see your work in print will form an alliance that can last longer and not just become yesterday's headline.

 

[MSDeltaFlt]

Let’s get one thing clear. I never suggested nor endorsed that patient privacy be violated for the sake of a media interview. Nor did I suggest just anyone in EMS should conduct interviews. I did state in my thread, “in the hands of a proficient PIO.”

I’m not a neophyte in the media industry. I spent years as a PIO and I can tell you from experience that I can conduct an interview and provide certain facts and do so without ever divulging one shred of the patient’s PHI. I’ve been a strong advocate for patient privacy particularly when it comes to scene photography and I have authored articles as well as lectured on the subject as well. I’ll be conducting a four-hour pre-conference this May at the IAFC’s Fire Rescue Med Conference in Las Vegas.

I’ve been critical of EMS for the past decade for not better understanding the essentials necessary to conduct media interviews and not run afoul of privacy issues. This includes state and federal laws such as the misunderstood and often over-reacted HIPAA. I’ve watched and participated recently in major disasters and was aghast how horrible EMS mishandled the media. Opportunities to inform the public via the media were sent adrift with the floodwaters and with that opportunities for EMS gain much deserved recognition.

As far as my “atta boy” comment. We live in a tabloid society and unfortunately many folks tune in just to hear what a celebrity has to say, especially one who tragically lost his son. So when the celebrity takes a moment to acknowledge those who worked to try and save his son’s life, that in itself is very worthy of some print.

Exactly. But not by those of us in the trenches who have absolutely zero in media understanding. My father once told me, "Mike, what you say and what people hear you say might not be the same thing". My quote of Abraham Lincoln was dead on. Better to be quiet and look like an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Shut up and let the pros handle it.

You would be the pro.

 

[karaya]

So please advise what we can say and not break privacy laws.

There is a fair amount of info a PIO can provide the media that does not involve patient’s PHI, yet still give enough info for an interesting story. Let’s use an auto accident as an example, which is probably the most reported incident that EMS is involved in.

To the reporter who already has some basic info about the crash:

“Our XYZ paramedics found an elderly couple trapped in their car that had collided with a tree.”

“Both occupants were in critical condition and one of our paramedics was able to crawl into the car and begin care while ABC fire department used special rescue equipment to free the occupants.”

“Our paramedic was able to communicate to the couple and keep them reassured while the rescue was taking place.”

“The occupants were trapped for about ten minutes and once freed they were immediately taken to a waiting JKL helicopter and transported to a trauma center.”


One of the things I like to do is find out from the medics what interesting factors they experienced on the scene that I might me able to plug into my interview. In the example above I made sure to include the medic crawling inside the car and that he was reassuring the trapped couple. This adds an extra element to the story and the media just loves this stuff! Again, careful wording is essential to prevent any PHI from being releases.

No names, no address, and nothing specific about medical except a one-word phrase concerning patient status, which is allowed by HIPAA.

A respectable release and nice recognition for EMS!

 

[smvde]

My quote of Abraham Lincoln was dead on. Better to be quiet and look like an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Shut up and let the pros handle it.

You would be the pro.

And you would be wrong attributing that quote to Abraham Lincoln, it was Mark Twain aka Samuel Clemmons who said that.

 

[MSDeltaFlt]

You get my point.

 

[VentMedic]

And you would be wrong attributing that quote to Abraham Lincoln, it was Mark Twain aka Samuel Clemmons who said that.

That is in debate among the scholars since both had similar quotes.

 

[karaya]

Some we cheapen EMS to the standards of a supermarket tabloid? Cash in on this tragic moment to do a little promotion? That could bring as much bad publicity and questions as it already has by the comments on the web concerning this issue and some of the others in the past. EMS is sometimes just as responsible for its own bad press as the media that is quick to pick up on anything that might sell a newspaper.

You have chosen the media as your profession and that is your focus. Those in a medical profession should concentrate on the patient and their needs.

If the profession wants respect they should start with those in the medical professions by publishing articles in the journals. Having other professionals in medicine see your work in print will form an alliance that can last longer and not just become yesterday's headline.

I'm in a much different position than you are when it comes to the media and EMS; for I'm in both. And I can see your passion for EMS and understand your ignorance as to how the media could interact in a positive way as I have described in earlier threads. Those who have little or no experience with the media industry often react as you do. This includes police and fire as well.

I actually now spend 90% of my time shooting for the EMS publishing industry. This includes Elsevier, Brady / Prentice Hall and McGraw Hill. In the past year I've worked on eight different EMS book projects and numerous issues of JEMS. A ton more slated for this year. So I spend a gob of time riding with medics all over the country and many times hear comments similar to your's.

So what I'm saying is from my experience, I can see how you would react to certain media issues. Being in EMS, one tends to over react to a story that includes EMS because of a deep focus for his or hers compassion for the business, patient, etc. Yet, John Q. Public doesn't see it this way. He sees that Travolta was pleased with the EMS in their attempt to save his son and that makes John Q. feel good about EMS.

Just one of the many ways to get a little "good" attention toward EMS in general.

 

[VentMedic]

I'm in a much different position than you are when it comes to the media and EMS; for I'm in both. And I can see your passion for EMS and understand your ignorance as to how the media could interact in a positive way as I have described in earlier threads. Those who have little or no experience with the media industry often react as you do. This includes police and fire as well.

I actually now spend 90% of my time shooting for the EMS publishing industry. This includes Elsevier, Brady / Prentice Hall and McGraw Hill. In the past year I've worked on eight different EMS book projects and numerous issues of JEMS. A ton more slated for this year. So I spend a gob of time riding with medics all over the country and many times hear comments similar to your's.

So what I'm saying is from my experience, I can see how you would react to certain media issues. Being in EMS, one tends to over react to a story that includes EMS because of a deep focus for his or hers compassion for the business, patient, etc. Yet, John Q. Public doesn't see it this way. He sees that Travolta was pleased with the EMS in their attempt to save his son and that makes John Q. feel good about EMS.

Just one of the many ways to get a little "good" attention toward EMS in general.

I am not ignorant to the media and we have made it work for us several times when getting issues on funding, education and trauma centers into the news. EMS also needs to learn from mistakes made with the media. You have your own agenda to sell and promote what you do. EMS needs to remain professional when it comes to patient care.

karaya

One of the things I like to do is find out from the medics what interesting factors they experienced on the scene that I might me able to plug into my interview.

EMS is the only medical profession that allows individuals such as EMT(P)s to be interviewed by media people such as yourself. Any other healthcare professional caught talking about their patients even in the general terms would be fired and face penalties on their license. There are some exceptions under certain circumstances but even hospitals' PIOs are refraining from giving press conferences.

 

[karaya]

EMS is the only medical profession that allows individuals such as EMT(P)s to be interviewed by media people such as yourself. Any other healthcare professional caught talking about their patients even in the general terms would be fired and face penalties on their license. There are some exceptions under certain circumstances but even hospitals' PIOs are refraining from giving press conferences.

I don't think I've heard of a hospital PIO. All the trauma centers I've been working with have media relations department and they do press conferences quite a bit with the patient's attending physician; particularly on high profile cases. Most of these are cases where the patient or family have signed a HIPAA compliant release.

When I stated getting info from the EMS crew, I meant in my capacity as PIO for the third service EMS provider I worked for at the time. I would get dispatched to the call just as the crew did. I would arrive and observe and in some cases talk to the crew about certain specifics to prepare for an on-scene interview with the inbound media. All perfectly legal. In my higher profile situations, we would secure a release from the patient or family if the patient was incapable. This of course allowed us to release more detail including pertinent PHI.

 

[VentMedic]

When I stated getting info from the EMS crew, I meant in my capacity as PIO for the third service EMS provider I worked for at the time. I would get dispatched to the call just as the crew did. I would arrive and observe and in some cases talk to the crew about certain specifics to prepare for an on-scene interview with the inbound media. All perfectly legal. In my higher profile situations, we would secure a release from the patient or family if the patient was incapable. This of course allowed us to release more detail including pertinent PHI.

PIO, information officer or whatever name a hospital uses to release various pieces of information to the media.

I can think of a few names to call those that prey on a family during a tragic event for a news story.

But, you are a media professional and you will defend your profession. I just believe there are more important things to consider especially if the patient is incapable of signing a release. (?!?!?!?!)

 

[karaya]

But, you are a media professional and you will defend your profession. I just believe there are more important things to consider especially if the patient is incapable of signing a release. (?!?!?!?!)

This is usually a minor and we need parental consent to release additional information. Usually a high profile incident with enormous media attention. A good example would be drinking and driving deaths and the parents want to share the tragedy in hopes to educate others. Sometimes we go back weeks or months later to do a follow-up piece once the tragedy has had some time to subside. Family and patient are much more receptive to granting interviews then.

Over the past five years I have photographed thousands of incidents and of those I collected hundreds of HIPAA releases.

Do you know how many have refused to sign a release? Only one in five years time!! I was shocked how easy it is to obtain a release and how receptive the patient was in signing it. Some were just downright excited at the notion that their photo may wind up in a book, magazine or newspaper.

 

[VentMedic]

Do you know how many have refused to sign a release? Only one in five years time!! I was shocked how easy it is to obtain a release and how receptive the patient was in signing it. Some were just downright excited at the notion that their photo may wind up in a book, magazine or newspaper.

Do you really tell people when their child is injured that they could be featured in a magazine? You actually distract them from the care of their child to get a release signed for your own agenda?

Yes I can see using some stories for education but jumping on the patients and families before they even know the extent of the injuries or the body is cold is just a little distasteful.

You approach people in a chaotic scene when they are vulnerable. You use the EMS providers as your allies. That can be considered taking advantage of the situation also.

Of course I am speaking as a healthcare professional and not a member of the media.

 

[karaya]

Do you really tell people when their child is injured that they could be featured in a magazine? You actually distract them from the care of their child to get a release signed for your own agenda?

Yes I can see using some stories for education but jumping on the patients and families before they even know the extent of the injuries or the body is cold is just a little distasteful.

You approach people in a chaotic scene when they are vulnerable. You use the EMS providers as your allies. That can be considered taking advantage of the situation also.

Of course I am speaking as a healthcare professional and not a member of the media.

How can you be so obtuse??

Where did you get the idea that I jump on patients and families before they even know the extent of their injuries? Where did I state that I distract them from the care of their child? Do you even read anything that I've posted? Apparently not.

Where did I state that I approach people in a chaotic scene and when they are vulnerable? I use EMS providers as my allies?

Do you honestly believe that I would walk up to a grieving parent and ask them to sign a release and they would actually do it under those circumstances?

YOUR agenda is pretty clear now.

 

[VentMedic]

How can you be so obtuse??

Where did you get the idea that I jump on patients and families before they even know the extent of their injuries? Where did I state that I distract them from the care of their child? Do you even read anything that I've posted? Apparently not.

Where did I state that I approach people in a chaotic scene and when they are vulnerable? I use EMS providers as my allies?

When I stated getting info from the EMS crew, I meant in my capacity as PIO for the third service EMS provider I worked for at the time. I would get dispatched to the call just as the crew did. I would arrive and observe and in some cases talk to the crew about certain specifics to prepare for an on-scene interview with the inbound media. All perfectly legal. In my higher profile situations, we would secure a release from the patient or family if the patient was incapable. This of course allowed us to release more detail including pertinent PHI.

This is usually a minor and we need parental consent to release additional information. Usually a high profile incident with enormous media attention.

Again, you are in the media profession and you have a different agenda. You justify your presence with the legalities of a piece of paper signed at scene. Even celebrities in "high profile" situations are entitled to have some privacy and shouldn't be made to feel by those in EMS or the media (or in your case - both) that they should have to disclose everything. We protect our celebrity patients from the media. We figure if they want the world to know their illnesses or injuries, they can hold a press conference through one of their representatives. It is easy to now see how some high profile stories do reach the media for headlines so quickly. I would also imagine this works for the stories that don't look so favorable when things don't go as well either. Luckily, there are many more incidents that do not make the headlines because the majority of healthcare professionals remember where their priorities are.

 

[medic417]

There is a fair amount of info a PIO can provide the media that does not involve patient’s PHI, yet still give enough info for an interesting story. Let’s use an auto accident as an example, which is probably the most reported incident that EMS is involved in.

To the reporter who already has some basic info about the crash:

“Our XYZ paramedics found an elderly couple trapped in their car that had collided with a tree.”

“Both occupants were in critical condition and one of our paramedics was able to crawl into the car and begin care while ABC fire department used special rescue equipment to free the occupants.”

“Our paramedic was able to communicate to the couple and keep them reassured while the rescue was taking place.”

“The occupants were trapped for about ten minutes and once freed they were immediately taken to a waiting JKL helicopter and transported to a trauma center.”


One of the things I like to do is find out from the medics what interesting factors they experienced on the scene that I might me able to plug into my interview. In the example above I made sure to include the medic crawling inside the car and that he was reassuring the trapped couple. This adds an extra element to the story and the media just loves this stuff! Again, careful wording is essential to prevent any PHI from being releases.

No names, no address, and nothing specific about medical except a one-word phrase concerning patient status, which is allowed by HIPAA.

A respectable release and nice recognition for EMS!

Thank you. I am sorry for the abuse you are getting from Vent, she is passionate but at times a little bit opinionated. As I think most of us that last in EMS are.

I really wish we could see more education for Paramedics in media relations. Because we are in the public more than hospital people we really will always need some way to positive information about what we do out there. We, no matter even if we truly get united and become a real profession, will always have to compete with fire and police for money. The public wants to see action photos and film. If you are ever involved with a community thats fire or police is asking for money they show very few calm pictures instead they gathere the biggest flames, the child being carried out of flames, the officers in high speed chases, firing guns, and even tears as they look at a fallen fellow officer. Those agencys exploit to get the funds. We have to get more action photos and information out there if we ever want proper funding. As emergency providers we will never be able to support EMS just on collections so we must be able to appeal to the community for money and the people want to see action if they are to give it. When all they see is us driving they say wow we give way to much money for peopel just to drive.

 

[triemal04]

EMS is the only medical profession that allows individuals such as EMT(P)s to be interviewed by media people such as yourself. Any other healthcare professional caught talking about their patients even in the general terms would be fired and face penalties on their license.

Dear god...at some point you are really going to have to stop placing every other healthcare profession on a pedestal and shoveling :censored::censored::censored::censored: onto EMS...especially when you say things like the above that are blatantly wrong. There are multiple instances (including some that have been posted here) when someone from another field makes comments about the care their pt recieved. Now, perhaps they were fired or censured over that, I don't know, but the fact remains that it still does happen, so apparently this is not such a one sided issue.

 

[VentMedic]

Dear god...at some point you are really going to have to stop placing every other healthcare profession on a pedestal and shoveling :censored::censored::censored::censored: onto EMS...especially when you say things like the above that are blatantly wrong. There are multiple instances (including some that have been posted here) when someone from another field makes comments about the care their pt recieved. Now, perhaps they were fired or censured over that, I don't know, but the fact remains that it still does happen, so apparently this is not such a one sided issue.

Before you post something with "I don't know", why don't you look up the policies that are consistent with every hospital in this country.

The day EMS catches up with the other medical professions, since it is already over 40 years old, is the day I would hopefully not have to remind some about the boundaries of professionalism.

Now maybe you should venture over to the thread about pranks. You might have more to offer there.