Newtown Recipient Of

Ongoing Public Health Donation

By Nancy K. Crevier

According to an August 21 news release, the Connecticut Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Services for Children Program will donate more than 200 bags of pediatric medical equipment to Emergency Medical Services providers across the state, the largest donation since the program began in 2007. All bags were to be distributed by September 1, making a total of 387 bags of special pediatric medical equipment provided to address the needs of children and adolescents. The bags are funded by a grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NVAC) Chief Megan Posey said that the local ambulance corps received a pediatric jump bag through this program in February. While all three of the ambulances carry blood pressure cuffs and oxygen masks designed for children, the CDPH jump bag also contains infant and child-sized stethoscopes. The smaller bells on the stethoscopes make it easier for responders to quickly find the heartbeat, said Chief Posey.

“Before we got the pediatric stethoscopes, we just used the smaller side of the adult stethoscope,” said Chief Posey. “You can hear the heartbeat and breathing, but it is challenging with a tiny patient,” she said.

In addition, the bag pulls together all pediatric supplies into one place on Ambulance #1, a convenience over the other two ambulances where supplies are stored in different places. “It’s just quicker to have everything here in one bag,” said Ms Posey.

In addition to the two stethoscopes, one for infants and one for children up to age 8, and the blood pressure cuffs, the bag also contains sterilized water, gloves, standard bandages, infant and child bag valve masks (BMV), and oxygen masks. An obstetrics kit for emergency childbirth with umbilical cord clamps, scalpels, OB pads, bulb syringe, drapes, gloves, sponges, and ties is also part of the pediatric jump bag.

“Children need to be distracted when you are caring for them, and they can get upset. There are so many new and different people on a call,” said Chief Posey. The pediatric jump bag has taken that into account, she said, with a cuddly teddy bear tucked into a side pocket to offer comfort.

Approximately three percent of the 2,066 calls answered by NVAC last year involved pediatric patients. As of the end of July 2009, 176 of the calls were for patients under the age of 18, Chief Posey said.

A grant received two years ago allowed NVAC to purchase three defibrillators, which contain pads to fit infant and children, as well as adults, added Chief Posey. A defibrillator is a device that sends a shock to the heart, allowing it to resume normal heart rhythm.

“We appreciate this donation of the pediatric bag,” she said. “It would cost us $500 to $600 if we had to purchase it ourselves, and it is very convenient to have it all in one place. It’s great,” said Chief Posey.