Re: infectious disease soapbox

[Guest guest]

At the local level this is what we have been fighting with the mhmr people for

years they have burocratic secure jobs and actually don't give a rats hole.

infectious disease soapbox

Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

scratching the surface.

After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

health department is really the only one with the authority to help

correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

IS time for a new career.....

Jane Hill

(the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

[Guest guest]

At the local level this is what we have been fighting with the mhmr people for

years they have burocratic secure jobs and actually don't give a rats hole.

infectious disease soapbox

Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

scratching the surface.

After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

health department is really the only one with the authority to help

correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

IS time for a new career.....

Jane Hill

(the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

[Guest guest]

At the local level this is what we have been fighting with the mhmr people for

years they have burocratic secure jobs and actually don't give a rats hole.

infectious disease soapbox

Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

scratching the surface.

After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

health department is really the only one with the authority to help

correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

IS time for a new career.....

Jane Hill

(the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

[Guest guest]

About 11 years ago when I was with TDH-EMS we constantly tried to get

help in interpretation of Chapter 81, with very little results. OSHA

was even more helpful. Jane--------don't leave, we(Texas EMS) count on

you for sane and practical ideas. I opened a paramedic class the other

night and described the lack of a professional organization. Several of

the students have already had very negative encounters with TDH. It use

to be not like that. They are asking why we don't have one. I

recommended they go to the EMSAT website. We must get something going

soon, or else we might actually lose people like Jane!!!!

-mikey

>>> je.hill@... 9/2/04 10:32:36 PM >>>

Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

scratching the surface.

After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

health department is really the only one with the authority to help

correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

IS time for a new career.....

Jane Hill

(the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

[Guest guest]

Jane,

My comments mirror 's very well. We cannot afford to lose good

people at this time. I was thinging about sharing your comments with a news

reporter friend of mine, if it is O.K. with you.

Re: infectious disease soapbox

> About 11 years ago when I was with TDH-EMS we constantly tried to get

> help in interpretation of Chapter 81, with very little results. OSHA

> was even more helpful. Jane--------don't leave, we(Texas EMS) count on

> you for sane and practical ideas. I opened a paramedic class the other

> night and described the lack of a professional organization. Several of

> the students have already had very negative encounters with TDH. It use

> to be not like that. They are asking why we don't have one. I

> recommended they go to the EMSAT website. We must get something going

> soon, or else we might actually lose people like Jane!!!!

>

> -mikey

> >>> je.hill@... 9/2/04 10:32:36 PM >>>

> Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

> Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

> disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

> seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

> exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

> personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

> contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

> prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

> emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

> falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

> exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

> being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

> pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

> exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

> work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

> required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

> them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

> many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

> patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

> getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

> aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

> 81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

> WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

> to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

> that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

> enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

> one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

> en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

> the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

> scratching the surface.

>

> After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

> health department is really the only one with the authority to help

> correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

> tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

> only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

> establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

> follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

> accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

> agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

> to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

> distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

> things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

>

> Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

> shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

> positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

> rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

> help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

> for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

> While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

> responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

> need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

> other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

> that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

> suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

> any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

> take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

> now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

>

> So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

> just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

> decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

> something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

> that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

> after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

> LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

> finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

> As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

> IS time for a new career.....

>

> Jane Hill

> (the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

> nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jane,

My comments mirror 's very well. We cannot afford to lose good

people at this time. I was thinging about sharing your comments with a news

reporter friend of mine, if it is O.K. with you.

Re: infectious disease soapbox

> About 11 years ago when I was with TDH-EMS we constantly tried to get

> help in interpretation of Chapter 81, with very little results. OSHA

> was even more helpful. Jane--------don't leave, we(Texas EMS) count on

> you for sane and practical ideas. I opened a paramedic class the other

> night and described the lack of a professional organization. Several of

> the students have already had very negative encounters with TDH. It use

> to be not like that. They are asking why we don't have one. I

> recommended they go to the EMSAT website. We must get something going

> soon, or else we might actually lose people like Jane!!!!

>

> -mikey

> >>> je.hill@... 9/2/04 10:32:36 PM >>>

> Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

> Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

> disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

> seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

> exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

> personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

> contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

> prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

> emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

> falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

> exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

> being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

> pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

> exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

> work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

> required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

> them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

> many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

> patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

> getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

> aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

> 81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

> WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

> to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

> that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

> enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

> one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

> en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

> the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

> scratching the surface.

>

> After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

> health department is really the only one with the authority to help

> correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

> tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

> only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

> establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

> follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

> accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

> agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

> to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

> distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

> things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

>

> Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

> shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

> positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

> rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

> help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

> for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

> While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

> responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

> need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

> other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

> that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

> suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

> any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

> take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

> now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

>

> So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

> just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

> decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

> something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

> that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

> after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

> LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

> finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

> As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

> IS time for a new career.....

>

> Jane Hill

> (the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

> nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jane,

My comments mirror 's very well. We cannot afford to lose good

people at this time. I was thinging about sharing your comments with a news

reporter friend of mine, if it is O.K. with you.

Re: infectious disease soapbox

> About 11 years ago when I was with TDH-EMS we constantly tried to get

> help in interpretation of Chapter 81, with very little results. OSHA

> was even more helpful. Jane--------don't leave, we(Texas EMS) count on

> you for sane and practical ideas. I opened a paramedic class the other

> night and described the lack of a professional organization. Several of

> the students have already had very negative encounters with TDH. It use

> to be not like that. They are asking why we don't have one. I

> recommended they go to the EMSAT website. We must get something going

> soon, or else we might actually lose people like Jane!!!!

>

> -mikey

> >>> je.hill@... 9/2/04 10:32:36 PM >>>

> Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

> Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

> disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

> seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

> exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

> personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

> contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

> prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

> emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

> falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

> exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

> being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

> pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

> exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

> work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

> required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

> them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

> many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

> patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

> getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

> aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

> 81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

> WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

> to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

> that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

> enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

> one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

> en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

> the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

> scratching the surface.

>

> After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

> health department is really the only one with the authority to help

> correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

> tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

> only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

> establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

> follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

> accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

> agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

> to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

> distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

> things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

>

> Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

> shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

> positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

> rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

> help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

> for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

> While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

> responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

> need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

> other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

> that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

> suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

> any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

> take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

> now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

>

> So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

> just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

> decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

> something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

> that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

> after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

> LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

> finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

> As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

> IS time for a new career.....

>

> Jane Hill

> (the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

> nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Mikey, for the vote of confidence. I agree with you - now is the

time, if there ever was, for us to take the bull by the horns and either poop or

get off the pot. I am still here for now and I will do everything I can to help

make that happen. But if it doesn't - if we continue down the track we are

going - I don't think I will be the ONLY one of the oldies looking for a more

solid career. My frustration is very high though, so ya'll don't mind me if I

get pissy every now and then. LOL

Thank you for referring your students to EMSAT. We need as many of our EMS

people involved in ONE group and actively participating to make this happen.

Jane Hill

-------------- Original message from " Hudson " : --------------

About 11 years ago when I was with TDH-EMS we constantly tried to get

help in interpretation of Chapter 81, with very little results. OSHA

was even more helpful. Jane--------don't leave, we(Texas EMS) count on

you for sane and practical ideas. I opened a paramedic class the other

night and described the lack of a professional organization. Several of

the students have already had very negative encounters with TDH. It use

to be not like that. They are asking why we don't have one. I

recommended they go to the EMSAT website. We must get something going

soon, or else we might actually lose people like Jane!!!!

-mikey

>>> je.hill@... 9/2/04 10:32:36 PM >>>

Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

scratching the surface.

After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

health department is really the only one with the authority to help

correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

IS time for a new career.....

Jane Hill

(the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Mikey, for the vote of confidence. I agree with you - now is the

time, if there ever was, for us to take the bull by the horns and either poop or

get off the pot. I am still here for now and I will do everything I can to help

make that happen. But if it doesn't - if we continue down the track we are

going - I don't think I will be the ONLY one of the oldies looking for a more

solid career. My frustration is very high though, so ya'll don't mind me if I

get pissy every now and then. LOL

Thank you for referring your students to EMSAT. We need as many of our EMS

people involved in ONE group and actively participating to make this happen.

Jane Hill

-------------- Original message from " Hudson " : --------------

About 11 years ago when I was with TDH-EMS we constantly tried to get

help in interpretation of Chapter 81, with very little results. OSHA

was even more helpful. Jane--------don't leave, we(Texas EMS) count on

you for sane and practical ideas. I opened a paramedic class the other

night and described the lack of a professional organization. Several of

the students have already had very negative encounters with TDH. It use

to be not like that. They are asking why we don't have one. I

recommended they go to the EMSAT website. We must get something going

soon, or else we might actually lose people like Jane!!!!

-mikey

>>> je.hill@... 9/2/04 10:32:36 PM >>>

Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

scratching the surface.

After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

health department is really the only one with the authority to help

correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

IS time for a new career.....

Jane Hill

(the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Mikey, for the vote of confidence. I agree with you - now is the

time, if there ever was, for us to take the bull by the horns and either poop or

get off the pot. I am still here for now and I will do everything I can to help

make that happen. But if it doesn't - if we continue down the track we are

going - I don't think I will be the ONLY one of the oldies looking for a more

solid career. My frustration is very high though, so ya'll don't mind me if I

get pissy every now and then. LOL

Thank you for referring your students to EMSAT. We need as many of our EMS

people involved in ONE group and actively participating to make this happen.

Jane Hill

-------------- Original message from " Hudson " : --------------

About 11 years ago when I was with TDH-EMS we constantly tried to get

help in interpretation of Chapter 81, with very little results. OSHA

was even more helpful. Jane--------don't leave, we(Texas EMS) count on

you for sane and practical ideas. I opened a paramedic class the other

night and described the lack of a professional organization. Several of

the students have already had very negative encounters with TDH. It use

to be not like that. They are asking why we don't have one. I

recommended they go to the EMSAT website. We must get something going

soon, or else we might actually lose people like Jane!!!!

-mikey

>>> je.hill@... 9/2/04 10:32:36 PM >>>

Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

scratching the surface.

After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

health department is really the only one with the authority to help

correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

IS time for a new career.....

Jane Hill

(the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

[Guest guest]

Go ahead. What can they do - FFFFIIIIIIIIRRRRREEEEE ME????? LOL

If anyone wants to take my comments about this as a symptom of larger issues in

a presentation to your local legislator or senator, feel free. Gene, Lee, and I

have already started doing that in our area. Still got to get a meeting with

Stenholm and Naugebeyer (because one has to win and one has to lose at election

time). You folks out there need to help with this process. Talk to your

beaurocratic leaders for your area about these issues. Let them know we have

GOT to do something before the EMS portion of the emergency response system in

Texas pretty much collapses and dies a painful death.

Jane

--------- Re: infectious disease soapbox

> About 11 years ago when I was with TDH-EMS we constantly tried to get

> help in interpretation of Chapter 81, with very little results. OSHA

> was even more helpful. Jane--------don't leave, we(Texas EMS) count on

> you for sane and practical ideas. I opened a paramedic class the other

> night and described the lack of a professional organization. Several of

> the students have already had very negative encounters with TDH. It use

> to be not like that. They are asking why we don't have one. I

> recommended they go to the EMSAT website. We must get something going

> soon, or else we might actually lose people like Jane!!!!

>

> -mikey

> >>> je.hill@... 9/2/04 10:32:36 PM >>>

> Ok, I am back from an almost 12 hour round trip to speak at the DSHS

> Region 2/3 quarterly Director's meeting, and I am extremely

> disheartened. I went today to outline some serious problems that

> seem to exist in many sections of our state regarding glitches in

> exposure policies, things that are happening to our exposed

> personnel that are out of our control, the lack of resources and

> contact people to call for help, the lack of timely availability of

> prophylactic meds, and the fact that many of our front line

> emergency workers (EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters) are

> falling through the cracks and not receiving appropriate post-

> exposure counseling, testing, or being offered prophylaxis after

> being exposed to high risk people in the course of their duties. I

> pointed out that many fire and law agencies don't even have an

> exposure plan for those situations that we all know transpire as we

> work together on scenes. I pointed out that while EMS agencies are

> required to have such a plan, many don't know how to implement

> them. And even if they do know how, they run into roadblocks at

> many of the receiving hospitals when trying to assess whether a

> patient was high risk and, if so and if there was an exposure,

> getting the patient's blood tested. Many hospitals do not seem

> aware that provisions for this are made in Health and Safety Code

> 81, Subchapter A, which allows testing for many of these situations

> WITHOUT the patient's consent. Also, many of these hospitals seem

> to not be aware of or want to follow the portions of the same law

> that mandate notification of emergency workers (including law

> enforcement and fire agencies) when a patient has been identified as

> one who could have been a risk to the emergency workers on scene or

> en route to the hospital or don't seem to be aware of the process in

> the law as outlined. And these things I listed here are just

> scratching the surface.

>

> After laying it on the line, I pointed out that by the law, the

> health department is really the only one with the authority to help

> correct any of these things. I pointed out that most of us have

> tried to work this out on our own, but we don't get assistance -

> only roadblocks. I pointed out that the health department needs to

> establish and distribute some clear guidelines that we can all

> follow - guidelines to help the emergency workers do a better job of

> accessing what they need and help to build cooperation between these

> agencies and area hospitals - guidelines so the hospitals know how

> to deal with US on these issues. I also requested information

> distributed with contact agencies and numbers for all of these

> things for every region so we would know WHERE to turn.

>

> Now, how did the folks at the meeting respond? Well, if I had one

> shred of an illusion that the people who are in the high level

> positions at DSHS or TDH or whatever you want to call them give a

> rats patooty about emergency workers and want to help find ways to

> help protect these front line people who risk their lives every day

> for little or no pay - well, that illusion has now disappeared.

> While the directors seemed to listen while I was talking, the only

> responses I got from any on them revolved around how WE in our areas

> need to work harder on building cooperation ourselves with these

> other agencies and solve our own problems. Even though I reiterated

> that most of us have already tried to do this, they had no other

> suggestions nor did they even WANT to do anything to help us resolve

> any of these issues from their level down, which is what it will

> take. One individual told me that this is not abnormal especially

> now with the restructure and his statement was, " God help us all. "

>

> So my frustration level is at an all time new high. To me, this is

> just another symptom of a system in progressive breakdown and

> decay. If we do not find a solution soon (a Commission or Board or

> something else just to handle EMS related issues and such), I feel

> that there is really no future in EMS in Texas. I have decided

> after the DSHS smoke and mirrors presentation the other day, and the

> LACK of response from DSHS directors for our region today, I need to

> finally grow up and decide what I really want to do for a living.

> As much as I have loved EMS for the last almost 20 years, maybe it

> IS time for a new career.....

>

> Jane Hill

> (the thoughts and opinions stated herein are my own and represent

> nothing from any board,committee, or employment I may be on or hold)

>

>

>

>

>

>

>