JULY - 202119GOVERNMENT CIO OUTLOOKLeon County EMS Adapts to Pandemic with Innovative Technology to Teach CPR Chad Abrams, Chief of Emergency Medical Services, Leon County GovernmentByCXOINSIGHTSC itizens rely on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to provide expert response and care during medical emergencies and technology has played a pivotal role in the ability of EMS agencies to consistently deliver the best care available. The proliferation of technology has allowed paramedics to provide advanced diagnostic testing to patients, resulting in improvements in mortality and morbidity. Some EMS systems have even deployed mobile CT scanners to assist in the early treatment of people suffering from strokes. The global COVID-19 pandemic has exposed additional applications for technology including the increased use of telemedicine products to limit the number and types of patients being transported by EMS from their homes to hospitals and between medical facilities. During the pandemic an unexpected public health concern arose as EMS systems across the country reported more patients refusing to be transported to a hospital for definitive care even during life-threatening emergencies. Researchers found that In April 2020, there was a 20% increase in the number of EMS responses where the patient refused to go to the hospital. Correspondently, there was a 35% increase in the number of EMS responses for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during that same time frame.Cardiac arrest occurs when a person's heart unexpectedly stops pumping blood. Without immediate Chad Abrams
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