The bus that previously carried Patti Labelle and Greg Allman to their
concert appearances is parked in Gainesville this week on a much less glamorous
but potentially more vital mission.
It has been transformed into a rolling classroom for medical workers.
The 1999 bus is now owned by the Emergency Medicine Learning and Resource
Center. With the specialized gear that the Orlando firm has installed, the bus
is now a $3.5 million rolling classroom.
It houses what may be the only dual emergency simulator in the nation. Up
front — in the former kitchenette and seating area — is a patient simulator used
to teach emergency room workers like doctors and nurses. In the back — where
LaBelle once had a bedroom — is a patient simulator for first responders like
EMTs and paramedics and firefighters.
Eric Dotten, clinical programs coordinator for the center, said he brought
the bus to Gainesville under a $450,000 contract with the Florida Department of
Health. The contract calls for the bus to visit the entire state over several
months.
"We're are providing training on how to deal with what may be the next
weapons of mass destruction, things like ricin and small pox that could be used
in biological warfare," Dotten said.
Using a simulated patient and computer programs, Dotten was able to mimic how
a patient would sound if, for example, they were struggling to breath, unable to
swallow or had a particularly narrowed throat.
In a scenario that unfolded Tuesday afternoon for a handful of first
responders from the Alachua County and Gainesville fire rescue departments, one
of the patient simulators was programmed to exhibit a variety of symptoms.
The symptoms could have been indicators of a medical emergency like a heart
attack or drug overdose but were actually some of the symptoms first responders
could expect to see in someone who had been exposed to ricin.
"This really opens your eyes to what could be out there," said Amanda James,
a paramedic for Gainesville Fire Rescue.
Corey R. Thomas, a driver operator, said the scenario his crew was given was
"really close" to what happens when an ambulance arrives and cannot be certain
what it wrong with a patient.
Alachua and Gainesville fire rescue departments plan to send all their
firefighters, paramedics and EMTs through the bus program this week without
telling them beforehand which of 18 possible scenarios they will
encounter.
The Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center (EMLRC) is
a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing
emergency medicine, disaster management, pre-hospital emergency care
and public health through the provision of educational and research
programs. The EMLRC provides lifesaving education for lifesavers.
For further information contact:
John Todaro, Director/Chief Operating Officer
Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center
3717 South Conway Road
Orlando, FL 32812-7607
Phone: 800-766-6335
Email: jtodaro@emlrc.org
Internet: www.emlrc.org
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