Nearly $10,000 will go towards buying a lifesaving tool for paramedics to use on child patients.
The City of Jacksonville appropriated money Tuesday so the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department can purchase a new device called Pedi-Sleeves.
Action News Jax got a glimpse at how the tool works and why JFRD said it’ll reduce errors during emergencies.
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Soon, Jacksonville paramedics will be able to find the exact dosage for child patients by just looking at their arm, thanks to the Pedi-Sleeve.
Paramedics must consider many elements when arriving on scene, especially when the person in need is a child.
“For EMS responders, dealing with children is a highly stressful situation,” chief of rescue David Castleman said.
Last year, the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department responded to 7,000 calls involving pediatric emergencies.
Nearly 5,000 of those children were transported to the hospital.
“There is a higher incidence of medication errors in the pediatric population, so what this bag does it helps reduce the medication errors,” Castleman said.
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That’s where the Pedi-Sleeves come in. First, tape is used to measure the child and whatever color it falls on is the color sleeve that’s needed.
“This is our playbook. What this does is tell us precisely all of the drug dose, drug dosages, all of the equipment sizes,” Castleman said.
The Pedi-Sleeves will replace the current cumbersome system.
“It really helps reduce errors in medications, which is critical, but most importantly, too, is it frees up your hands,” Castleman said.
JFRD called Pedi-Sleeves more refined and innovative that will help both the patients and first responders.
JFRD said they should have the Pedi-Sleeves in each rescue unit in the next four to six weeks.
Cox Media Group
