Rob McCartin

Greetings Everyone,

Below is an FDA Alert shared by the Bureau:

Health care professionals should be cautious of possible xylazine inclusion in fentanyl, heroin, and other illicit drug overdoses, as naloxone may not be able to reverse its effects. FDA is aware of increasing reports of serious side effects from individuals exposed to fentanyl, heroin, and other illicit drugs contaminated with xylazine.

Xylazine is FDA-approved for use in animals as a sedative and pain reliever. Xylazine is not safe for use in humans and may result in serious and life-threatening side effects that appear to be similar to those commonly associated with opioid use, making it difficult to distinguish opioid overdoses from xylazine exposure. However, we do not know if side effects from xylazine exposure can be reversed by naloxone. Since we do not know if reversal agents regularly used in veterinary medicine (e.g., yohimbine hydrochloride, tolazoline hydrochloride) are safe or effective in humans, they should not be used.

Routine toxicology screens do not detect xylazine, and additional analytical techniques are required to detect xylazine when it might be involved in illicit drug overdoses, particularly when there are other signs or symptoms of xylazine exposure.

Health care professionals should continue to administer naloxone for opioid overdoses and consider xylazine exposure if patients are not responding to naloxone or when there are signs or symptoms of xylazine exposure (e.g., severe, necrotic skin ulcerations). Health care professionals should provide appropriate supportive measures to patients who do not respond to naloxone.

FDA issued a letter to stakeholders providing clinical information about the risks of severe, necrotic skin ulcerations from repeated xylazine exposure, possible withdrawal symptoms, and xylazine’s interference with successful treatment of opioid overdoses.

It is not known at this time whether the xylazine used in these scenarios is illicitly produced (unapproved) or diverted from the animal drug supply. FDA is continuing to investigate the source of xylazine in the illicit drug supply and will provide an update when new information is available.

Peter L. Brodie, BS, AEMT

Branch Chief, Data and Informatics Unit

EMS Data Manager

Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems

http://ubmdems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BOCES-Job-Announcement.pdf

Greetings Everyone

A message from Oishei’s:

Hi Everyone!

Please be advised that on Monday, October 24^th, our partners from Aceflag will be de-installing the banner from the OCH/BGMC bridge that crosses Ellicott St.  They will be getting started mid-afternoon, and likely working until early evening, with a plan to utilize a bucket truck that will limit the flow of traffic to one lane at any given time.  They will have flag people with them to support for the duration.

Greetings Everyone,

There is a scheduled EMT Core Refresher course being conducted on Nov 4, 6, and 6th in Youngstown. If interested please download the flyer for more information.

http://ubmdems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/EMT-Basic-Flyer-Nov-4-20222.pdf

Greetings,

CME opportunity from the State:

The Bureau of EMS invites you to join this important information session pertaining to Adult Care Facility and EMS practitioner rules/regulations/standards of care when providing treatment to patients with Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) and Advanced Directives.

EMS CME eligibility for 1 hour preparatory CME under Legal/ethical considerations. 

Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems /Adult Care Facility Presentation

Tuesday, Nov 1 2022 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

(UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

To Register:

https://meetny.webex.com/webappng/sites/meetny/meeting/register/182fa2d8b4ef4e85a6711766d8b42fcf?ticket=4832534b000000052aebc67f9aead5d4f3c47ad38d9bcd1e4f1c96f9604a24b30dd5705c4ccc70c5&timestamp=1665772989524&RGID=reb1ae584c723a0f05d5acc720094b59e

Greetings Everyone,

Please see the attached message

TOPIC: Sodium Bicarbonate Injection – USP, 8.4%, 50 mEq/50 mL Vial, 20-Count Carton by Exela Pharma Sciences: Recall – Due to Vial Breakage

AUDIENCE: Patient, Consumer, Health Professional, Pharmacy

ISSUE: Exela Pharma Sciences, is recalling 49 lots of Sodium Bicarbonate Injection – USP, 8.4%, 50 mEq/50 mL vial, 20count carton, because the product poses a potential safety concern with vial breakage and flying glass when pressurized while preparing the product for administration.

Exela has received five (5) reports of flying glass injuring skin, eye and/or other parts.  There have been no reports of sterility failures.

This recall is not expected to cause drug shortage.

Product was distributed nationwide to wholesalers, distributors, and other customers between December 16, 2021, and August 10, 2022.

For more information about this recall, click on the red button “Read Recall” below.

BACKGROUND: The product is used for treatment of metabolic acidosis.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Exela is notifying its customers by e-mail and certified mail and is arranging for return and replacement of all recalled product directly to the company.
• Customers that have the product, which is being recalled should discontinue use, segregate the recalled product, submit a recall stock response form to the company, and hold the product until shipment instructions are provided.
• Customers with questions regarding this recall can contact the company.
• Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems related to the usage of this drug product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/exela-pharma-sciences-llc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-sodium-bicarbonate-injection-usp-84-50?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Greetings Everyone,

Please see and share the attached policy just put out by the Bureau related to an Ebola outbreak in Uganda

http://ubmdems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/22-14-Health-Advisory-Outbreak-of-Ebola-Virus-in-Central-Uganda-10.07.2287.pdf

Greetings Everyone,

A message from Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center:

Hello,

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is hosting an open forum for pre-hospital care providers as the hospital transitions with EMS to the “new normal” post pandemic response. The forum will be held on Wednesday October 12th beginning at 5:30pm.

The forum includes dinner from Fortuna’s Restaurant in appreciation to you, the front-line EMS providers, for the sacrifices made during the pandemic. Also, guest speaker Dr. Kenneth Snyder, will be offering a 1 hr. continuing education credit on “Pre-hospital care of the altered mental health patient” for attendees.

The forum is open to all EMS members & providers in Niagara County.

Please RVSP to me to register at james.suitor@nfmmc.org or call (716) 278-4569.

Thank you!

Greetings Everyone,

Attached is a job posting for Mercy Flight seeking potential dispatchers. If interested, please download for information on how to apply. Thanks

http://ubmdems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-OCT-Mercy-Flight-Posting-Dispatcher.pdf

Greetings Everyone,

From our friends in the North Country

Friends,

We are currently seeking submissions for lectures, workshops, keynotes, and full-day/multiple-day courses for the North Country EMS 22nd Annual Spring Fling Conference, which will be held at the Edgewood Resort and Conference Center in Alexandria Bay, NY.

We are looking for submissions for the following:

• April 27th and 28th: full-day, half-day, and evening pre-conference programs/courses/workshops

• April 29th: Full-day ALS track and BLS track with 60- to 90-minute lectures

All topics and formats related to clinical, EMS operations, EMS leadership, and education will be considered. The deadline for submission is COB on October 31st,  2022.

Submissions will be accepted by completing this survey

We take pride in giving our presenters a great experience. We pay honorariums and provide travel/lodging. All presenters are welcome at conference events, meals, etc. Please be sure to include honorarium expectations.

If you have any questions, please contact Ann Smith, FDRHPO North Country EMS Program Agency Director at asmith@fdrhpo.org

Spring Fling Conference

Ann Smith, Director

FDRHPO North Country EMS Program Agency