HENDRICKS REGIONAL HEALTH CHRONICLES | VOL. 2 - ISSUE 13 | HENDRICKS.ORG

Through a unique training program he created, James Nossett, MD, Director of Emergency Medical Services at HRH, is bringing our core value of collaboration outside the hospital.

He calls the training initiative Care Under Fire. Through the program, he aims to educate our community’s law enforcement officers on medical protocols for tactical situations involving gunfire. “We want our first responders who may find themselves in a violent situation to be prepared to take care of themselves and others.”

Dr. Nossett has trained about 60 police officers thus far, beginning with a pilot program with the Plainfield Police Department.

The goal is to provide police officers with the skills to respond to gunshot wounds, such as steps to reduce or stop the bleeding. This is critical because excessive blood loss is a

common cause of fatalities in tactical situations.

Dr. Nossett’s training curriculum took officers to a shoot house inside the Brownsburg Police Training Facility. Each group of three to four officers would enter the house, assess the situation, practice applying tourniquets or using combat gauze to a gunshot wound, and extricate any injured to a safe environment, all while under simulated fire.

His goal is to extend the training to include fire departments and EMS personnel so all groups would learn how each other responds to tactical situations. They would then use that knowledge to coordinate care. “This eliminates a lot of guesswork when these guys are all working together at a scene. The coordination not only increases their efficiency, it increases everyone’s safety,” says Dr. Nossett.

The training is happening in stages. The last

piece will be a mass casualty mock drill, which should occur in the next few months.

“With all the recent acts of violence across the world, all sides are starting to realize how important this training is to their safety and to the public’s safety,” stated Dr. Nossett.

The events of September 11, 2001 dramatically changed life in the United States. One of those changes is a heightened appreciation for emergency medical services (EMS) providers and members of law enforcement. These men and women do not hesitate to put their lives on the line during a situation when other lives may be at risk.

First responders are vital members of our community. As our community’s supervising hospital for EMS professionals, HRH is charged with supporting the training of these brave individuals.SUPPORTING EMS PROFESSIONALS THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

HRH offers training and medical direction to 15 emergency response agencies within Hendricks, Morgan and Putnam Counties. These agencies represent over 550 partnering EMS personnel in our community.

Over the past 20 years, HRH has educated more than 600 EMS providers through our Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic Training programs. Because of the high quality of its offerings, our Paramedic program received an esteemed accreditation

through the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions. HRH also has an agreement with Ivy Tech Community College, which allows our Paramedic program graduates to easily transition and quickly obtain their Associates Degree in Paramedicine.

A benefit of this close relationship with EMS providers is confidence that our emergency patients will receive the best possible care before arriving at our doors. “Most people don’t want to be involved in an emergency medical situation,” said Kathi Mortensen, HRH EMS Coordinator. “Our community can feel comforted knowing our EMS providers are ready to respond and will deliver prompt, and potentially lifesaving care whenever the need arises.”

As someone who has been a first responder for 35 years, Mortensen knows what the job entails. “It’s not an easy job to prepare for. For the most part, you see people at their worst. Often, there is blood involved. Sometimes you have to tell family members a loved one has died. Some people find they can’t handle it. Those who are able find that making a difference in somebody’s life is a reward that outweighs all the negatives.”

SHOWING FIRST RESPONDERS RESPECT AND APPRECIATION THROUGH CHILL & GRILL EVENTS

First responders are trained to be the first on the scene at an accident or emergency. They include EMS and law enforcement professionals – all highly trained individuals who protect and safeguard our community each and every day.

HRH President & CEO Kevin Speer wanted to find a way to say thank you to emergency response agencies throughout our area. That’s when he came up with the idea for the first-ever Chill & Grill series, which began August 1. These events include Kevin, along with members of HRH leadership and our Emergency Department team, visiting each community fire agency and law enforcement station to serve lunch.

“In today’s world, people do not always recognize and appreciate our first responders and law enforcement officers for their service and dedication,” Speer said. “They make our community a safer and better place to live and raise a family. It is a pleasure to take the opportunity to show them how much we appreciate everything they do.”

COURAGE TO PUT OTHERS FIRST

CRITICAL CARE COLLABORATION

VOL. 2 - ISSUE 13

Living The HENDRICKS Way

A special recognition occurred during the recent Directors’ Retreat. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis honored HRH CFO Izzy Rivas as its 2016 Volunteer/Community Leader Diversity and Inclusion Champion.

Adding some play into their work, HRH medical staff enjoyed touring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the recent General Medical Staff meeting.

UPCOMING EVENTS

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HEART WALKSaturday, September 108 a.m. - 12 p.m. White River State Park, Celebration Plaza

ST. MALACHY’S 2016 COUNTRY FAIRFriday, September 16 - Saturday, September 17 St. Malachy Church

AVON COMMUNITY HERITAGE FESTIVALSaturday, September 2410 a.m. - 9 p.m. Washington Township Community Park

Visit HENDRICKS.ORG/FAMILYFUN to view upcoming community events.

Since 1868, Cypress Manor in Danville has provided housing and supportive care to underserved local residents, representing a 148-year-old tradition of community charitable support. Formerly called the Hendricks County Home, the facility was among 92 similar homes once in existence in Indiana to care for indigent individuals. Today,

few county homes remain operational, and more than one-third have been demolished.

HRH and Hendricks County Government officials are working together to preserve and protect Cypress Manor, which offers unique programs and services that are not found elsewhere in our community. The collaboration will include HRH undertaking financial responsibility and day-to-day oversight of the residential care facility.

“This new partnership is something that the entire HRH family is proud of because it represents who we are as an organization, as well as who we are as individuals,” said HRH President & CEO Kevin Speer. “As the only nonprofit, independent hospital in this community, we feel it is part of our mission to help provide care for the individuals that reside at our county home. This historic and treasured facility is itself a shining example of Hendricks County’s proud heritage. Simply put, we are a community that takes care of one other.”

The agreement brings many benefits to both the residents of the home as well as Hendricks County taxpayers, who currently pay for the facility’s operations. The transfer in oversight will save taxpayers a minimum of $300,000 annually. HRH will incur these expenses, and has also committed $200,000 yearly towards capital improvements to the facility.

“Cypress Manor is one of Indiana’s last remaining homes for the indigent, and we want to be a part of preserving and honoring this organization’s legacy,” Speer said. “The HRH Board of Trustees whole heartedly supports our role as it aligns squarely with our values.”

The hospital will work alongside staff at Cypress Manor to provide resources and support for medical care, nutritional services and mental health services. HRH will also provide training and support of staff, as well as maintenance of the facility and grounds.

A goal of the partnership is to maintain all current services as well as engage HRH associates in providing additional programs to enhance the overall health and wellness of residents.

“We will work in tandem with the staff to ensure they have all of the resources they need, and to also determine what opportunities there are to further support the outstanding services already provided,” Speer said.

As part of our role in the community, HRH provided over $22 million in charitable care last year alone, as well as more than 2,500 volunteer service hours to community organizations.

COMMUNITY LOYALTY PROMPTS NEW PARTNERSHIP

Much is at stake for healthcare this Election Day. Make sure you register to vote by OCTOBER 11. Then make your voice heard by voting NOVEMBER 8.