Replica weapons: A collective effort to stop mistake of fact shootings

By Dave Blake, Force Certified Analyst, Certified Criminal Investigator

In September, police officers in Columbus, Ohio, were called to an armed robbery. They spotted people who fit the description of the robbers and pursued them on foot. When one suspect pulled a handgun from his waistband, he was immediately shot and killed by police. The handgun was discovered to be a replica BB gun with a laser sight and the suspect a 13-year-old boy.

There have been several cases around the country where children have been mistaken for armed suspects and lost their lives. In two similar incidents, one in October 2013 and another in November 2014, a 13- and a 12-year-old boy were also killed by police. Both boys were handling replica guns with the orange safety tips removed. These tragedies have devastated families and communities, as well as the officers who pulled the triggers.

The public is understandably quick to blame law enforcement for these “mistake of fact” shootings, incidents where an officer reasonably – but inaccurately – believed the suspect was armed and posed an imminent threat. In order to stop such incidents that involve replica weapons, we should consider if there is also a larger social problem at play.

Read the full story: Replica weapons: A collective effort to stop mistake of fact shootings

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2g5hPuS

Mich. EMT, college student saves father’s life after heart attack

Mario Calabria was biking with his family when his father fell off his bike, hit a tree and was knocked unconscious.

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2gidHdQ

A comparison of two insulin infusion protocols in the medical intensive care unit by continuous glucose monitoring

Achieving good glycemic control in intensive care units (ICU) requires a safe and efficient insulin infusion protocol (IIP). We aimed to compare the clinical performance of two IIPs (Leuven versus modified Yal...

from Emergency Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2gC3mdv

Mich. EMT, college student saves father’s life after heart attack

By EMS1 Staff

TECH, Mich. — During a family mountain biking trip, an EMT had one of the most difficult calls unfold right in front of him.

Mario Calabria was biking with his family when his father fell off his bike, hit a tree and was knocked unconscious, reported Up Matters. 

Calabria began to perform CPR after he was unable to find a pulse. He told his brother’s girlfriend to call 911 and gave her a map so she could show their location to first responders. 

Although Calabria managed to get a pulse, his father stopped breathing a second time. Soon after, EMTs and police officers arrived on scene and used an AED. Calabria’s father was also intubated to avoid swelling in his airway. After five shocks, first responders were able to get a pulse. 

“At first, it was just me versus a massive heart attack,” Calabria said. “Then I was surrounded with people who knew what they were doing … it was a team effort.”

Calabria’s father was loaded into an ambulance and later airlifted to a medical center. He was put into an induced coma; he was released from the hospital six days later.

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2gmIoMC

30-Day, 90-day and 1-year mortality after emergency colonic surgery

Abstract

Purpose

Emergency surgery is an independent risk factor in colonic surgery resulting in high 30-day mortality. The primary aim of this study was to report 30-day, 90-day and 1-year mortality rates after emergency colonic surgery, and to report factors associated with 30-day, 90-day and 1-year mortality. Second, the aim was to report 30-day postoperative complications and their relation to in-hospital mortality.

Methods

All patients undergoing acute colonic surgery in the period from May 2009 to April 2013 at Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark, were identified. Perioperative data was collected from medical journals.

Results

30-day, 90-day and 1-year mortality was 21, 30 and 41%, respectively. Age >70 years, Performance status ≥3 and resection with stoma were independent factors associated with 30-day mortality. Age >70 years, Performance status ≥3, resection with stoma and malignant disease were independent risk factors associated with 90-day mortality. Age >70 years, Performance status ≥3, resection with stoma and malignant disease were independent factors associated with 1-year mortality. Overall, 30-day complication rate was 63%, with cardiopulmonary complications leading to most postoperative deaths.

Conclusion

Mortality and complication rates after emergency colonic surgery are high and associated with patient related risk factors that cannot be modified, but also treatment related outcomes that are modifiable. An increased focus on medical and other preventive measures should be explored in the future.

from Emergency Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2ggkH7t

Clearspring Capital Partners invests in Demers Ambulances, in partnership with Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

Montreal, November, 2016 - Clearspring Capital Partners, a fund manager with a presence at Espace CDPQ, today announced a major investment in Demers Ambulances, a leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of ambulances throughout North America. Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and members of Demers Ambulances’ management team are also taking part in this investment ...

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2gfHYpS

Pulmcrit Wee- Vasopressin vs. norepinephrine for vasoplegic shock after cardiac surgery

Patients in the VANISH trial treated with vasopressin had a lower incidence of renal failure requiring hemodialysis. However, this was a secondary endpoint which seemed to contradict the primary endpoint (defined as a milder degree of kidney injury). New data may clarify this controversy.

EMCrit by Josh Farkas.

from Emergency Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2foyuYK