Changing Policies to Save Lives

The following post is the story of Jason Bouton and how he got his local EMS to change polices to be in accordance with KSI guidelines.

This past March I attended a one-day CEU course at Sacred Heart University for ’Emerging Trends in Acute care for Athletic Trainers.”   The course, lead by Doug Casa and his team, covered supplemental oxygen and treatment of exertional heat stroke (EHS). Upon completion of the course, I met with King’s Athletic Director and Administration to begin implementing what I learned.  Before implementing these new findings into the King program, I was asked to meet with Stamford EMS and insure that everything was in keeping with their protocol.

Initially, I met with the Captain of the local EMS.  We discussed the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) protocols for treating EHS and discussed Connecticut’s adaption of the KSI guidelines. He explained how they treat EHS and heat exhaustion.  For rapid cooling, they used Core Cooler chairs and misting tents, depending on the situation. I provided him with the KSI studies and NATA guidelines and position statements.  I explained that, given all of the current information, I would like to implement these findings into the King program in August and I would like them to be onboard with me.

After our meeting, the Captain brought all of the information and documents to the local EMS administration. I was contacted by the local Deputy Chief and EMS coordinator and further discussed the position statements and guidelines.  In turn, he discussed the information with the medical director. Shortly thereafter I was informed that they wrote a new set of protocols, which included the potential involvement of onsite athletic trainers.

I was fortunate to have been able to find professionals of another discipline who were open-minded enough to begin this dialog. Through all of my conversations, each individual with whom I spoke was enthusiastic, intrigued, and more than willing to listen. The new protocols that were developed, and attached here, are a reflection of just that.