MERGINET.News: December 3rd Issue Now Online!

["Richard Bilger" <rbilger@merginet.com>]

We're pleased to bring you the latest additions to
MERGINET.News (December 2001 Vol. 6, No. 12).
You can view this issue online at:

http://www.merginet.com/index-news.htm
Select "MERGINET.News" or "Current Issue" from
the navigation menu's.

*****************************************************************
FROM THE EDITORS:
*****************************************************************
MERGINET.News offers another article about weapons of mass destruction by
Jim Crabtree; this one describes some of the biological weapons (meaning
bacteria or viruses that cause diseases in humans, animals, or plants) that
could be unleashed. If WMD aren't fearsome enough, we also bring you the
first of a three-part series on "Party Drugs" by Jeff Kopito. As drugs such
as Ecstasy become more popular, the mixtures are becoming more creative, and
injuries and ED incidents are beginning to mount. We want you to be
knowledgeable about and alert for these drugs in your patients. On a lighter
note, our third feature is a delightful compilation of things patients would
like to give back to the EMTs and medics who cared for and transported
them — in honor of this "month of giving."

MERGINET's regular columnists offer many things to consider. Vic & Vern are
back, with their own special computer virus alert. Our Management Matters
section holds something for both administrators ("Prevent Problems with
Prevention Programs") and managers ("Motivate Like the Marines"), both by
John Becknell. Straight Talk asks the question: is it OK to go into
"fast-forward" mode? Tom Scott offers excellent "Tips and Tricks" regarding
ambulance billing, and Valerie DeFrance has a great template for teaching
about geriatric emergencies. Mike Taigman's book review deals with anger —
something many are still feeling in the wake of autumn's events.

New to our "Reader Helpline" is the following from Vance in Atlanta,
Georgia: Question: "Is liquid oxygen (LOX) obtained from a welding supply
firm considered 'medical grade' when utilized for transport? We fly with a
LOX system for our patient oxygen supply. We utilize a local welding supply
firm to provide the large LOX tank with which we fill our small on-board
'LOX ball.' The big tank is not labeled 'medical.' So, is the vaporized gas
that we use 'medical grade'?" If you can help Vance, go to the Reader
Helpline feature, click on that question, and send him a reply — he'll be
grateful!

As always, feel welcome to send your comments, concerns, and compliments. We
reply to everyone who writes.

Welcome to December, 2001!

Kate Dernocoeur, Editor
Laura Bennett-Kimble, Managing Editor

########## What Has Four Wheels and Medical Supplies? ###########

Maybe you!!

Visit http://www.mooremedical.com/homepage/jeep.cfm?a=AFFMER for details
on the Moore Medical "Ride the Web" Sweepstakes for your chance to win a
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.


#################################################################

New in this issue!

*****************************************************************
Feature Articles
*****************************************************************

>> The Month of Gifts: What Patients Would Like to Give to You
by Kate Dernocoeur, MERGINET Editor
Since the month of December is the "month of gifts" in many of the world's
great religions, we thought it'd be fun to see what some patients would say
when asked what they would like to give to the emergency providers who
helped them get to the hospital, if they could give something back. Here are
their answers.

>> Biological Weapons of Mass Destruction
by Jim Crabtree, RN, BSN, MICN
Potentially any disease can be used as a biological weapon. However, certain
traits make some diseases more appealing as a terrorist weapon than others.
Diseases most advantageous to a terrorist are fast acting, cause severe
symptoms or death, and are very contagious.

>> Party Drugs: Dancing the Night Away
by Jeff Kopito, EMT-D
In the '60s and '70s, marijuana, and even hallucinogens like LSD, mescaline,
and psilocybin, were part of the social fabric, shared at gatherings in
homes or at concerts, and with friends or strangers. In the '80s and '90s,
drugs like Ecstasy and GHB weaved their way into the scene at raves and
trances where teenagers gathered to enjoy the music, lights, and community.

*****************************************************************
Medic Life
*****************************************************************

>> STRAIGHT TALK 54: Fast-Forward
by Kate Dernocoeur
A few years ago, my cousin, Bob, did a very interesting thing. I don't see
Cousin Bob very often, but apparently he and his son rented a lot of movies.

>> Runnin' Red: COMPUTER VIRUS ALERT!!!
by Vic & Vern
You know how sometimes you open up an e-mail and you wonder, "What the heck
is this?" Then, about 10 minutes later, you get another e-mail from your
best friend that says "DON'T OPEN ANY MAIL FROM ME IT PROBABLY HAS A
VIRUS!!" Then, about 10 minutes after that, you find out that the virus has
sent a copy of your "web site favorites" to your boss, spouse, parents, and
in-laws?

*****************************************************************
Educators Corner
*****************************************************************

>> Closet Junkies
by Valerie DeFrance
Some 17 percent of a certain group of Americans are believed to be abusing
drugs and alcohol. They are also the least likely group we would expect to
practice "closet junkie behavior." Who are these closet junkies? Why are
they abusing drugs? How often do we as healthcare providers see this group
of patients? And are we teaching our students about this group?


*****************************************************************
Columns
*****************************************************************

>> Book Review: Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames
by Mike Taigman
Our collective emotions have certainly been on a roller coaster since the
attacks in September. During the first week of September, I had picked up
Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames by Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat
Hanh. I read it during the last week of September, when I really needed some
help dealing with my own anger and the anger of people around me.


*****************************************************************
Management Matters
*****************************************************************

>> Ambulance Billing: Tips and Tricks
by Tom Scott
Ambulance billing professionals are like all other professionals. They learn
the rules and regulations to do their job, but they also figure out little
ways to improve their personal and organizational performance. Here are some
of the little things that are done in the industry to maximize revenue from
patients and their third-party payers.

>> For Managers: Motivate Like the Marines
by John M. Becknell
How can you motivate a committed workforce, especially during this tough
time of national crisis and fear? Some of the best leadership minds are
addressing this issue, and their research can easily be applied to EMS. For
the last four years, McKinsey & Company and The Conference Board, a business
research organization, have studied how companies successfully engage the
emotional energy of frontline workers. They examined a number of top
companies, but it wasn't until they spent some time with the U.S. Marine
Corp (USMC) that they identified their best practice.

>> For Administrators: Prevent Problems with Prevention Programs
by John M. Becknell
Prevention programs in EMS often have grassroots beginnings. Impassioned
employees want to begin a program that encourages bicycle helmet use after
seeing a preventable head injury. Management likes their passion and has
heard about other EMS organizations engaged in prevention and doesn't want
to be left behind. Whether you are in the middle of a prevention program or
considering starting one, ask yourself the following five tough questions.

More online!

*****************************************************************
MERGINET.News Online!
Click here: http://www.MERGINET.com/index-news.htm

*****************************************************************
MERGINET is a service designed to provide resources, news, education and
fun to the all in EMS, Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medicine. Updated daily.
*****************************************************************

MERGINET Medical Resources
http://MERGINET.com
mailto:Editor@MERGINET.com

http://www.merginet.com/index-news.htm

*****************************************************************


_______________________________________________
Flightmed mailing list