Kentucky | KBEMS announces Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma courses
Kentucky | 26 Jan 2012
KBEMS has mandated that all emergency medical responders be trained in the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma, commonly called shaken baby syndrome, as required by KRS 311A.120 and KRS 311A.127.
In support of this requirement, the Kentucky EMS for Children (EMSC) program is offering continuing education opportunities throughout the commonwealth.. The first round of classes have been posted on the Events calendar. In addition to general provider courses, there will also be a Train-the-Trainer option available. An online option is being developed as well.
All emergency medical responders due to renew in 2012, must complete the course by December 31, 2012. All emergency medical responders due to renew in 2013, must complete the course by December 31, 2013. Effective January 1, 2014 all emergency medical responders must maintain documentation of completion of a KBEMS approved PAHT course that is less than five years old.
Please see the KBEMS Events Calendar for additional information.
Kentucky | Gov Beshear opens records of fatal/near-fatal child abuse cases
Frankfort KY | Governor Steve Beshear today directed the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) to open the records of cases in which child abuse or neglect resulted in a child fatality or near fatality.
“The death of any child is one too many, which is why it’s imperative state government do all it can to protect our vulnerable children,” said Gov. Beshear. “We have reviewed our laws alongside the laws of all other states regarding information released in these terrible situations. Everyone’s ultimate goal is to protect children, and my directives today are part of a comprehensive plan to strengthen our system.”
The Governor offered a four-step plan that addresses public information related to child fatalities, as well as steps to better review actions and decisions by Cabinet officials and a call to legislators to solidify the recommendations in law.
Opening the records
Gov. Beshear directed CHFS to release all records contained in its reviews of child deaths and near deaths involving child abuse and neglect, with redactions of certain identifying information such as information regarding the identities of victims, people who call with tips about abuse, social security numbers and information required to be kept confidential by specific statutes.
“My decision to open these records will allow the review of that information to further the health and safety of our children, increase the accountability of the Cabinet and improve our operations and practices going forward,” Gov. Beshear said. “Transparency will be the rule.”
An internal review of the laws of all 50 states revealed that state practices vary greatly regarding the release of records in child fatalities and near fatalities.
Legislative action
Gov. Beshear called on the General Assembly to hold vigorous, broad hearings regarding the laws governing the state’s practices with these records, and to enact laws that provide clearer guidance on the release of certain information.
Kentucky is a “permissive” state, meaning that current law says that certain unspecified information may be revealed in the event of a child fatality or near fatality, but is not required to be. However, 32 states require mandatory release of certain records or information in such cases. Gov. Beshear will propose legislation to make the release of certain information mandatory.
“The current Kentucky laws are broad and unclear, and the Cabinet has worked very hard to stay within the bounds of those rules,” Gov. Beshear said. “But the time has come for the legislature to clarify what information should be public and what information needs to remain confidential for the safety of the child.”
Independent review panel
For the third time, the Governor is proposing legislation to create an independent review panel to look at child fatalities and near-fatalities where child abuse and/or neglect are alleged. Gov. Beshear has proposed similar legislation twice before, but those proposals did not survive the legislative process.
The panel would be appointed by the state Attorney General’s office and include professionals, such as doctors, social workers, pediatricians, forensic experts and law enforcement. The panel would review all cases in which the Cabinet has been involved or conducted an investigation.
The findings and recommendations from this panel will increase accountability of the Cabinet, law enforcement, and others who come in contact with abuse and neglect situations. More than any other step, this will help to improve our system of child protection. We must learn from the unfortunate situations to help prevent future incidents if possible.
Comprehensive review of practices
At Gov. Beshear’s direction, the Cabinet has begun and will continue a comprehensive review of all practices, procedures, policies and laws related to child protection to look for further opportunities to improve the system.
The Governor voiced his strong support for the work of the Cabinet and the state’s social workers, and noted that the Cabinet is one of only seven states to receive accreditation from the Council on Accreditation, a national, independent, non-profit service focused on best practices for protective services.
“Our social workers provide a tremendous service to our state. They see our families at their worst, and they do their best to protect children’s safety and wellbeing,” Gov. Beshear said. “Their work is invaluable. If there are steps we can take to help social workers perform their duties and better protect our children, we must take them. We must make sure our child protective system makes good decisions for our families.”
Kentucky | Shelby County named first HeartSafe community
Frankfort KY | Health and Family Services Cabinet Secretary Janie Miller and representatives from the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) were on hand in Shelby County today to issue the state’s first HeartSafe Community Award, a designation for communities that have met a specific set of criteria to better respond to cardiac arrests.
Sec. Miller and DPH Acting Commissioner Dr. Steve Davis were joined by Shelby County Emergency Medical Services Director Todd Early and County Judge-Executive Rob Rothenberger, who were instrumental in helping the community meet the standards set forth in the program.
“Heart disease is one of the most serious issues facing our state,” said Sec. Miller. “The HeartSafe program is carrying this mission of public health to the frontlines, helping our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and loved ones become educated and prepared to respond to an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We are thrilled to see that the residents of Shelby County are taking the health of their community so seriously and have become Kentucky’s first HeartSafe Community.”
The HeartSafe program was launched over the summer by the DPH Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program as a way to help communities improve the chances that anyone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest will have the best possible chance for survival. DPH is collaborating on the project with the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) and the American Heart Association.
Approximately 4,600 Kentucky residents die each year due to cardiac arrest that occurs outside of the hospital and away from advanced medical assistance. Typically, these incidents happen in the presence of a family member or friend.
The HeartSafe Community program focuses on strengthening links within the community that contribute to the likelihood of survival of cardiac arrest.
“When the people of a community work together, as they have in Shelby County, they become a HeartSafe Community,” said Dr. Davis. “We hope even more Kentucky communities will follow Shelby County’s lead to increase the number of citizens informed about heart disease and prepared to respond to heart attacks. By working together and developing a network of HeartSafe Communities across the state, more lives will be saved.”
To become a HeartSafe Community, applicants must review criteria for the program, complete an application, and mail or fax the application to DPH. The recognition is valid for a period of 3 years and is renewable through the application process.
“By becoming HeartSafe, communities are showing they are willing to go the extra mile to ensure the health and well-being of their citizens,” said Bonita Bobo, manager for the heart disease and stroke prevention program. “We congratulate the citizens of Shelby County for their commitment to health.”
“HeartSafe” communities provide a combination of factors viewed as preferable in the communities’ ability to recognize and respond to cardiac arrest. These factors include:
− Early access to emergency care, such as bystanders recognizing the symptoms of cardiac arrest and immediately contacting 911.
− Early CPR, a simple, easily learned emergency procedure used when someone’s breathing and heartbeat suddenly stop.
− Early defibrillation, the delivery of electric shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
− Early advanced care delivered by a response vehicle staffed by advanced life support personnel.
Communities must apply to be HeartSafe through the DPH Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program. Applications are available at http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/dpqi/cd/cardiovascular.htm or by calling 502-564-7996.
KY – State’s first lab-confirmed influenza case reported
Frankfort — Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) officials are urging Kentuckians to get a flu vaccination after the season’s first lab-confirmed case of influenza was reported this week. The case was from Jessamine County.
DPH is reporting the results to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of statewide flu surveillance efforts. Kentucky’s flu activity is currently classified as “sporadic,” the lowest level of flu activity.
The flu season can begin as early as October and last through May and usually peaks between January and March. January is still a good month to be vaccinated for flu because it takes about two weeks for immunity to develop and offer protection against flu. However, vaccination can be given any time during the flu season. Local health departments and private health care providers are expected to have adequate supplies of flu vaccine on hand for this year’s season. Kentuckians should contact their health care provider or local health department for more information.
“Getting the flu can be debilitating and sometimes life-threatening, so it’s extremely important to take simple preventive steps to avoid it. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get a flu shot now,” said Steve Davis, M.D., acting commissioner of DPH. “You should also follow the advice your mother gave you to prevent flu and other illnesses that tend to circulate at this time of year – wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and stay home when you’re sick.
Davis strongly urged anyone over six months old who hasn’t received a flu vaccine, particularly those in the groups at high risk for complications related to the flu, to check with local health departments or other providers.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is now recommending flu vaccine for all individuals older than 6 months of age. People who should especially receive the flu vaccine because they may be at higher risk for complications or negative consequences include:
• Children age 6 months to 19 years;
• Pregnant women;
• People 50 years old or older;
• People of any age with chronic health problems;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
• Health care workers;
• Caregivers of or people who live with a person at high risk for complications from the flu; and
•Out-of-home caregivers of or people who live with children less than 6 months old.
Kentuckians should receive a new flu vaccination each season for optimal protection. Healthy, non-pregnant people age 2-49 years can be vaccinated with either the flu shot or the nasal vaccine spray. Children younger than 9 years old who did not receive a flu vaccination during the last flu season should receive a second dose four or more weeks after their first vaccination.
Infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches. Flu is a very contagious disease caused by the flu virus, which spreads from person to person. Approximately 23,000 deaths due to seasonal flu and its complications occur on average each year in the U.S., according to recently updated estimates from the CDC. However, actual numbers of deaths vary from year to year.
For more information on influenza or the availability of flu vaccine, please contact your local health department or visit http://healthalerts.ky.gov.