7 steps to safely implementing new products

Critical Clinical Concepts

Accountability for displaying proper patient lifting and moving – whether it's physically lifting patients or utilizing equipment – rests at the top of the agency

A new lifting device hits the market and it's great – a back saver, cost saver and time saver – a trifecta of savings! You first catch a glimpse of it at a trade show and immediately start thinking about purchase orders.

As this new device gets delivered and you open the box, you’re eager to start putting it on each ambulance and get your crews actively using it, but first thing is first.

You might have seen this device being used or tried it out with the vendor ... you might become an official trainer for this device's use, but, first, you must ensure everyone is properly trained and guided on how to use the new device.

Here are seven strategies to help properly train, document and validate that your employees are ready to implement these new pieces of equipment ... these back savers, cost savers, and time savers.

Proper training on any piece of new equipment means more than directing paramedics to the vendor's online tutorial video. It's important to describe and demonstrate how to correctly use new equipment, to set providers up for success.

The tools and resources you need for bariatric response, transport

Use the right equipment and enlist extra personnel to help transport bariatric patients out of their homes and into the ambulance while keeping their safety top of mind

Tim is the founder and CEO of Emergency Medical Solutions, LLC, an EMS training and consulting company that he developed in 2010. He has nearly two decades of experience in the emergency services industry, having worked as a career firefighter, paramedic and critical care paramedic in a variety of urban, suburban, rural and in-hospital environments. His background includes nearly a decade of company officer and chief officer level experience, in addition to training content delivery and program development spanning his entire career. He is experienced in EMS operations, community paramedicine, quality assurance, data management, training, special operations and administration disciplines, and holds credentials as both a supervising and managing paramedic officer.

Tim also has active experience as a columnist and content developer with over 200 published works and over 100 hours of education content available online, and is a social media influencer on LinkedIn within the EMS industry. Connect with him on LinkedIn or at [email protected].