Positivism, Professionalism, Pride, Progress

How do we make change? The world of EMS can be a fast and progressive system as is being demonstrated in countries like Australia, and the UK. These advancements have provided for fewer ER visits, as well as progressive and improved patient care at home. Patient's are given different options, and care plans are made that can improve patient quality of life as well.

These advancements don't just happen. They happen because someone or a group of someones made a choice to advocate for patient's and advocate for improvements in the system. I'm not saying that a revolution is needed, but a resolution does need to be sought. The health care system needs help. We have overloaded ER's, full patient units, increasing EMS call volumes, and no money to increase resources at any level. So how do we make change?

The first thing that needs to change is our attitude. That's a hard thing to hear, but being negative about everything is not the way to change anything. A positive attitude goes a long way to at least improve your day to day mental health, and helps to keep your mind open to seeing ideas for improvement. When you start to see the ideas that could improve patient experience, or lower hospital overload it's important to write them down. New ideas don't get implemented if they never get suggested. That being said you can't just throw ideas at people and see change. Proper presentation is also vital. So how do we make change? In the picture above it's said in fairly plain English. A long time ago I recall hearing a phrase that said, be the change you want to see in others.

Taking pride in our profession and being positive at work and letting the ideas that could make real change come to the surface is a good first step. The next step is to find ways to show that these ideas will work. One of the best ways I have found to do that is to use On Line Medical Control. When you want to step out of the box, involving a doctor is a great way to do it. They will usually agree with a good idea and help you make it happen. These ideas are then documented, recorded and can be studied to ensure the outcomes are positive and beneficial, both to the patient, and to the system.

It is a fact that our system is going to continue to get busier, it is also a fact that we are not going to get a bigger budget. The other fact that some people might not agree with is that we don't need a bigger budget. What we need is YOU, your ideas, your thoughts, presented in a positive fashion. Thinking outside the box is OK, it just has to be done in the right way. We are the front line, we are the ones that have the opportunity to see potential changes that could be positive and beneficial. Let's think outside the box and involve our OLMC doctors and direct supervisors. Be diligent, be professional, and let's work together to bring progress to the paramedic profession.