2014: A Year of Healing and Gratitude

     As this year quickly draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly to help me heal from the wounds of PTSD.  In my most popular post titled Paying It Forward . . . A Gift to Ourselves and Humanity (6/1/2014), I thanked many people who were instrumental in my transformation from a broken spirit to a more balanced existence.

    Several months have passed since that post and I have become more attuned to the way that universal energy affects the very fabric of our being.  For the first time in over 50 years of living on this planet, I can say that I am truly at peace with respect to the mind, body, and spirit.  A few weeks ago, I sent the staff at the Natural Health Improvement Center of Alsip a letter of gratitude for the amazing work that was done on my behalf inside the walls of what I termed, a house of healing.  As I say goodbye to 2014, I want to share these sentiments with you, my readers.  Although what I wrote only scratches the surface of how I feel, it will at least give you a snapshot into this unique world of healing.  Be well, enjoy, and I will see you in 2015:

A Year of Healing and Gratitude

Dear Dr. Stacy,

     When I first walked into the Natural Health Improvement Center my mind, body, and spirit were almost broken by more than a decade and a half of battling with PTSD.  However, as the many months have passed, I can truly say that I am well on my way to a more balanced life.  Having said this, I would be remiss if I did not thank the following people:

To Dr. Stacy: Ross Perot once said “Eagles don’t flock, you have to find them one at a time.” This I can say, that you have certainly gathered for yourself some of the best and most compassionate people to work with you in this healing house.  Our journey towards healing my body (organs) from the wounds of an overactive stress response has only just begun, but I already feel the progress being made.

To Danielle, Colleen, and Christina: Collectively you are the front face and first point of entry into this practice.  Your superior command of the products and services offered has restored my faith in the art of good customer service.  Additionally, you take a vested interest in the lives of each client by actively sharing in our successes along the road to wellville.  Human interpersonal communication is one of the best methods of healing the soul.

To Dr. Kat:  Thank you so much for keeping this “Humpty Dumpty” together in one piece while I took a walk from the dark side of the moon, back into the light of personal wellbeing.  I still have a way to go, but with your help I can effectively balance the weight of this journey squarely on my shoulders.

To Erin: When I first inquired about acupuncture as a way to heal myself, Danielle described you as being brilliant.  This is only one of many things you offer to your clients.  I am truly blessed that our paths crossed at what was a critical moment in my life (as you always say it’s the Universe speaking to us).  You are the best spiritual healer/guide that I could have joined forces with.  What I truly appreciate is that you describe our relationship not as a practitioner-client, but rather as teacher-student. That, my friend, is why I more firmly rooted to Mother Earth once again.  I bow deeply in gratitude for the lessons you have taught me.

     I am sure after the many conversations we have had, by now you know that Judy and I have a strong spiritual connection to the Hawaiian Islands.  When one has been accepted by the Hawaiian people, you become Ohana (family).  We both consider each one of you Ohana, for all that you have done, and all that you continue to do to build this House of Aloha.  If there is anything I can do to help spread or support your mission of healing, please do not hesitate to call.

As they say in Hawaiian: Aloha, Mahalo nui loa, and during this time of year: Mele Kalikimaka.

                                                         With abiding respect and gratitude,

                                   

                                                            Tim Grutzius

A Good Guy Who Is Winning

It is always reported in the media that during the Christmas Holiday season we see a spike in cases of depression, suicide, and suicide attempts.  In my 20+ years of experience as a paramedic with the Alsip Fire Department, I find this not to be the case.  Depression and suicide/attempts seem to be a year-round occurrence with no end in sight.  Our world seems to be out of balance and many people are falling into a downward spiral of despair.

     I have never experienced severe depression and therefore, do not know what it is like to walk in the shoes of those that do.  I can only speak to what it is like to be left behind in the wake of a suicide, as has been chronicled since the inception of this blog.  Today, I am going to introduce you to a new-found friend of mine who is a fellow firefighter named Steve.

     I was connected with Steve a few months ago when he was directed my way for help in writing a blog.  Steve, in his own right, has an incredible story of survival to tell about his battle with depression.  He is someone who has walked in the very shoes I do not. Although the target audience of his blog reaches out to fellow firefighters who share a similar experience as himself, do not let this deter you, or anyone you might know (who may be depressed or suicidal) from reading the content.   Steve does not speak from a firefighter’s perspective, but rather a human being whose mission it is to provide hope to others through his own life’s lessons.  You can find the link to his blog in the right hand column of this page or, at Depression in the Firehouse.

 

     Steve is very open and honest about his struggles.  However, from the phone conversations I have had with him, he is winning and wants others to do the same.  It is for this reason that I consider him a personal hero. 

     In staying true to this blog’s format, I leave you with a song by Jimmy Buffett titled “Good Guys Win” which says it all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Tim

Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

 

 

 

So Why Is It That I Like the Grinch So Much?

Google Images

     In 1957, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel wrote and published the timeless children’s classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2014).  I remember growing up as a kid waiting for this time of year because I knew the animated feature of the same name would soon be on TV.  When the film version starring Jim Carrey was released in 2000, I had to see it on the first day.  I possess the following Grinch items: A 6 foot tall singing Grinch, coffee mug, pajama bottoms, Christmas stocking, the 40^th Anniversary edition of the book, and one each stuffed Grinch and Max; all of which are brought out of storage on the day after Thanksgiving.  So why is it that I like the Grinch so much?

     While it may seem to you, my readers, that I am on Grinch overload, the answer to this question is quite simple.  The story of the Grinch is about transformation.  The expanded movie version tells the story of the Grinch (who was a Who), and how he was ostracized and made fun of because he was different, even eccentric one might say.

Google Images

     The Grinch grew to become heartless, and despised all things that were Christmas because of a painful childhood memory.  As the story continued, he hatched a plot to steal everything (that represented this holiday) away from every Who down in Who-ville out of spite, and to get even.  However, the Who people were undeterred by his efforts and celebrated Christmas without all the toys, lights, and roast beast.

Google Images

     Upon seeing this high up from Mount Crumpit, the Grinch had a change of heart and realized that Christmas was much more that about commercialization.  In fact, his heart grew “three sizes that day” (1985).  This was his moment of truth, as he looked in the proverbial mirror and did not like what he saw staring back at him.  In the end, the Grinch took personal responsibility for his actions and returned everything he stole.  For this gesture, he was rewarded and blessed with new found friends, who looked past his differences and accepted him as one of their own.

     We can all take a page out of the Grinch’s playbook when it comes to transformation.  The recurrent theme of this blog is all about self-care of the mind-body-spirit paradigm.  It is also about taking a journey towards a more balanced life.  In order to effect this transformation, we, like the Grinch, must take personal responsibility for our own wellbeing.  Nobody else is going to do it for us.

     So as a new year quickly approaches, let’s continue to take the road less traveled.  If you are a new reader, please join in on the conversation.  As Lao Tzu once said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.  I leave you with this you tube video that contains the lyrics to the end title song of the Jim Carrey version of the Grinch.  As the words unfold, watch for the inspirational transformation.

Mele Kalikimaka,

Tim

 

References

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2014).  Wikipedia.  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas! On 12/12/14.

Geisel, T. (renewed 1985). How The Grinch Stole Christmas 40^th Anniversary Edition.  New York: Random House.

Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 17th, 2006: My Day on Infamy

     Today marks the Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the sinking of the USS Arizona.  Three years ago, I wrote a descriptive essay for an English composition class about my visit to this historic site.  In retrospect, it was also a time when I initially experienced the power of universal energy, from the moment I stepped aboard the Arizona Memorial.  This was also the beginning of my journey towards self-discovery and a lifelong partnership with energy work.  I now share with you this essay in remembrance of the lives lost protecting our freedoms.  Enjoy:

USS Arizona

   “On December 7^th, 1941 the USS Arizona was sunk in a matter of minutes when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, carrying with it over 1,100 sailors.  Years later, a memorial was built, which now rests over the submerged Arizona as a lasting tribute to those entombed in its hull.  As both an American, and a veteran of the US Army, there was nothing more moving than my day spent on Infamy.

Entrance to Memorial

     It was an exceptionally clear blue sky the day I visited the Arizona Memorial and from a distance, it resembled the ribbed carcass of a giant white whale with a concave back.  An American flag flew proudly, approximately fifteen feet above on a steady pole.  As the transportation boat motored closer, my heart skipped a beat in anticipation of disembarkation.  The boat angled to a stop and was tied off to a small pier.  A sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor, grasped my right hand and assisted me on to the platform. I joined approximately 150 people and moved single file into the “mouth of the whale” (main entrance).   I looked up and saw large stone letters, mounted three feet above the entrance that hailed, “U.S.S. ARIZONA MEMORIAL”.

Inside the "Whale"

     I walked a few more feet into the memorial foyer and to the immediate right, a park ranger sternly reminded us that we stood on top of a gravesite, therefore respect was paramount.  The ranger was stationed in front of a backdrop of several flags uniformly lined up like soldiers in formation, and I recognized one to be the State Flag of Hawaii.  I looked straight back to the “tail of the whale”, and noted the arched support structures above me resembled ribs and intercostal spaces that formed seven openings on both the left and right sides of the memorial.  The single file line moved from the right, to the rear, and then the left side of the memorial.

Memorial Wall

     I leaned over one of the openings on the right side and noticed that the Arizona herself lied perpendicular to the structure and I vividly saw the outline of the forward area of the ship.  Oil from the engine room below bubbled to the surface and ebbed slowly out towards the Pacific Ocean.  As I walked to the rear or “tail”, I was greeted by a ten foot by ten foot marble wall that contained the names of the fallen that were buried with the Arizona.  A rope barrier, similar to one found in movie theaters, prevented me from approaching the wall, otherwise I would have traced my fingers in the engravings.  I made the turn towards the left side of the “whale” which allowed viewing of the aft area of the ship.  I noticed an elderly Japanese woman toss a flower into the water and my knees weakened.  Somehow, I knew she was connected to a sailor entombed below.  The most curious observation I made during my thirty minute visit was the reverent silence.  Not one of the one-hundred and fifty people spoke, and if I wanted, I could have heard a nickel fall on wet grass (if grass were nearby)

 

     I once again boarded the transportation boat for the return trip across the harbor.  As I looked back at the Memorial one last time, I pondered what life would be like if the war had gone the other way.  I thanked God that we won, otherwise, I may not enjoy the freedoms that I take for granted each day.  Freedoms, these fallen sailors no longer enjoy”.

 

 

Dedicated to those who lost someone on this pivotal day in our Nation's History

 



Meditation: The 10 Building Blocks to a Successful Practice

     Several weeks ago, my acupuncturist Erin, suggested that I begin a meditation practice as a way to quiet my mind.  Throughout my life, I have had a consistently active mind that tends to wander, whether I am getting a massage, trying to fall asleep, or even receiving an acupuncture treatment.  Erin handed me a copy of a blog post titled: How to Meditate: A 10 Step Beginner’s Guide (March, 2011).  This article provides to the novice “student” of meditation, the basic building blocks with which to begin a practice.

     It has been 3 weeks since I started to follow this advice and I have already noticed small changes.  My quality of sleep has improved (not necessarily the length), my mind does not wander as much when I am falling asleep, and I now drift off during an acupuncture treatment or massage session.  Each heading in today’s post comes from the beginner’s guide I mentioned.  However, I am going to describe to you how I meditate, which may be slightly different from the blog.  Click on the link above to find the original instructions on meditation.

Sit Tall

Chakra Stones on the body

     I have found that I am most comfortable while lying down versus sitting tall.  I place pillows under my head and knees for comfort.  Next, I place Chakra stones on the corresponding areas of my body.  Starting at the Root, and working my way up to the Crown chakra.  If it is cold, I cover myself with a blanket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relax your body

     As a way to relax my body, I close my eyes and imagine that I am floating on top of the buoyant Hawaiian Pacific Ocean.  My muscles begin to lose tension and relax, as I “float out to sea”.

Be still and silent

     I do not lie in perfect silence as I listen to meditation music on my IPod.  It is at this point that I become mesmerized by the music, and begin to feel the active energy of the stones that lie on top of my body.  I take a mental note of which chakras are most active during the session, but do not react or try to change what is happening.

Breathe

     Next, I begin to focus on my breathing.  As you may recall from last week, I spoke about concentration meditation as the basis for all other forms of meditation.  The breath can be a powerful tool to center your session.  I start by taking a deep breath in through my nose, exhale silently through my mouth, and repeat this 5 times.  Make sure that the inhale/exhale cycles are equal in length.

Establish a mantra

    Mantras are sounds, words, or utterances that can be repeated throughout your session.  This is yet another way to bring focus to the practice.  Erin always leaves the treatment room with these instructions (which has become my mantra) as my acupuncture session begins: “Relax, breathe deeply, and go where the Spirit takes you”.

Calm your Mind

     There are many days when my mind is so active that it takes to the end of my meditation practice to become focused on my mantra. In this situation, you need to acknowledge the thoughts, set them aside, and return to the mantra.  As I have progressed with my meditation, I have noticed that the scattered thoughts are not as frequent.  When I focus on the energy that is released from the stones, my mind becomes steady and silent.



Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

When to end your practice

     Because my mind can be so active, I could not meditate for longer than 1 or 2 minutes.  After 3 weeks of steady practice, my session has lengthened to anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes.  If my mind is abuzz, then the session is shortened once again.

How to end your practice

     I end the practice by opening my eyes and turning off the music.  Next, I remove the stones in the reverse order in which they were placed.  I then slowly sit up and reflect for a couple of minutes, before standing.

Practice often

     I reserve a time each day (usually in the morning) to meditate.  If my day is very busy, I may only have 5 to 10 minutes to practice, which might be at bed time.  Just remember, something is better than nothing at all.

Practice Anywhere

     The practice of meditation is not restricted to lying on a bed or a couch.  Find your own personal island in which to retreat for a moment in time.  Be it a park bench, beach, mountain top, or your bath tub.

     The greatest lesson I have learned so far is to follow the adage “Patience is a virtue”.  Do not become discouraged if it takes many months to find a clear and calm mind.  Next time, we will discuss the health benefits of meditation. To get you started, I leave you with a YouTube video of meditation music.   ALOHA!!!!!

Tim

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quieting the Mind through Meditation

     In the last post we discussed how to create a wellness plan that is the road map on the journey towards a more balanced life.  I also mentioned that I would talk about self-care methods that you can add to your wellness toolbox.  In previous posts we learned how to practice deep breathing as a way to reduce stress levels (Ha: The Breath of Life 3/19/2014).  In this next series, we will explore the world of meditation (which incorporates deep breathing) as a way to quiet the mind and bring focus to our world. Let’s begin by describing the five categories of meditation as presented by Self-Guided.com.

Concentration Meditation Techniques

     According to Self-Guided, concentration meditation is the building block for all other types of meditation.  Our minds are very active, and can have scattered thoughts or chatter that block us from giving our full attention to tasks at hand.  This technique asks the practitioner to focus on one object of meditation without distraction.  For example, when beginning to develop your power of concentration, you can use your breath as the object of focus to which you return should your mind wander. 

Mindfulness Meditation

     Mindfulness requires us to focus our attention on whatever arises in our experiences.  If you have ever just took the time to appreciate the natural beauty that this world has to offer, stared off into space and wondered how we got here, or listened intently for the answer to your prayers, then you have subtly practiced mindfulness meditation.  Self-guided tells us that “The interplay between concentration and mindfulness meditation allows us to develop the capacity to examine and intuitively understand the deep forces within our ordinary experience” (2014).  You are focusing on whatever comes to mind versus a chosen object of concentration.

 

Reflective Meditation

     Reflective meditation asks us to choose a topic or theme, analyze it, and then draw conclusions based our thoughts.  If you are searching for the meaning to life, death, or how to solve a problem, then this technique will help you to delve into these questions.  Many times the resolution to professional or personal issues are found during deep reflection.  Once again, if your mind wanders, return to the subject at hand.

Creative Meditation

     This form of meditation allows us, at the conscious level, to strengthen specific qualities about ourselves.  For example, if one wants to develop more patience with his/herself, others, or the world around them, then they need to walk the walk, and talk the talk.  The more we practice this virtue (from the mind’s eye), the more it becomes part of our inner self and reflected outward.  The key is to think, act, and speak as if you are a patient person and the rewards will be great.

Heart-Centered Meditation

     Heart-Centered meditation teaches us to be kind, more empathetic, and forgiving.  The practitioner must begin with themselves first, and then expand to the wider circle around them.  This technique taps into the lessons learned from the previously mentioned forms of meditation in order to learn not only the true nature and reality of ourselves, but also the world around us.

 

     Meditation takes patient practice and you may have to begin in small doses.  If this is something you want to add to your wellness toolbox, then I encourage you to find other sources or even workshops in your area.  Next time, we will learn about the basic building blocks for beginning a meditation practice. To get us started, I leave you with a video featuring the Zac Brown Band’s song Quiet Your Mind.  Until then, be well.                    Tim

 

 

 

 

References

The Five Types of Meditation (2014).  Self-guided.com. Retrieved from http://self-guided.com/types-of-meditation.html on 11/17/2014.



Wellness Plan: A Road Map to a Balanced Existence

Illinois Firefighter Peer Support

    In April of this year, I attended training (to become a peer supporter) that was sponsored by the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support team.  One of the assignments required the student to create a wellness plan, which could be used as a road map to a more balanced existence with respect to the mind-body-spirit paradigm.  The wellness plan asks all of us as individuals to categorize areas of our lives that we wish to improve on by setting well defined and measurable goals.  Today’s post will discuss goal setting as well as how to create a wellness plan template.

SMART goals

  As a personal trainer, it is my job to work with a client on developing goals that are both specific and realistic in order to achieve his/her desired results.  The American Council on Exercise (ACE) tells us that in order for goals to be effective, they need to be SMART:

Specific

·         The goal should state what you specifically want to accomplish.

Measurable

·         This aspect of goal setting allows you to see progress.

Attainable

·         Attainment will reinforce commitment to continue on your road to wellness long after the individual goal has been reached.

Relevant

·         The goal should be relevant to your interests and needs.

Time-bound

·         The goal must contain a timeline for completion. (ACE, 2014).

     Before we take a look at the wellness plan template, let’s examine a common wellness goal that millions of people set as a New Year’s resolution: weight loss.  Often times a general statement is made such as “I want to lose weight”.  This goal is very broad in nature and needs to be more descriptive in order to be both effective and attainable.  Using SMART, we will put this goal into more quantifiable terms:

1.      I want to lose weight (very general).

2.      I want to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks (unrealistic).

3.      I want to lose 20 pounds in 4 months (realistic).

4.      I want to lose 20 pounds in 4 months, and I will accomplish this by losing 5 pounds per month (measurable and attainable).

5.      I want to lose 20 pounds in 4 months. I will accomplish this goal of  losing 5 pounds per month by following a combination resistance training (weight lifting) and cardio program, that has been designed and agreed upon by both myself and my personal trainer (Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound).

     In order to be successful with your wellness plan, there must be a high level of individual accountability.  Depending on the goal set, or category chosen, you may have to enlist the services of a qualified professional who can best aid you in meeting your individual benchmarks.

The Wellness Plan

     The following wellness plan template comes courtesy of the Peer Support Training Curriculum that was designed by Sarah Gura, M.A., L.C.P.C. (2014).

 

 

 

Wellness Plan Template

 

   The one word category is defined by anything you wish to improve upon that will enhance your overall sense of wellbeing (weight).  The goal is written in the form of a need, as in “I need to lose weight”.  The objective is framed by the more specific statement using the words” I will . . . followed by your plan of action (see the SMART goals discussed previously). 

Facets of Wellness

     Examples of one word categories with potential wellness implications include, but are not limited to: food, diet, smoking, exercise, stress, friends, family, and pain.  Before putting the goals and objectives on paper, always remember to frame them by keeping improvement and personal accountability in mind.  In future posts, I will provide you with ideas (tools) that you can put in your wellness toolbox, which can aid in achieving your goals and objectives.  Until next time:

 

Be Well,

 

Tim

 

References

Bryant, C., Merrill, S., & Green, D. (Eds.). (2014). American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer Manual (5^th ed.). San Diego: ACE.

Gura, S. (2014). Create a Wellness Plan.  Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Training Curriculum PowerPoint Presentation Day 2, slide 77.

Update: The Do’s, Do Not’s, and What’s Being Done about Ebola

CDC Logo
 

     In the post titled A Quick Primer on the Ebola Virus (8/7/2014) we learned about the basics of the current Ebola (EVD) outbreak as presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Recently, as the EMS Coordinator for my fire department, I was asked by my Chief to sift through pages of updates to determine what is relevant to our daily operations.  I also found useful information for the general public which is the subject of today’s post. I encourage you to visit the CDC link that is highlighted in this paragraph for a more detailed explanation.  Please post any comments or questions you may have regarding this material, and I will do my best to find the answers.

Facts about Ebola

·         Ebola is not spread through air, water, or any food grown or legally purchased in the U.S.

·         The virus is spread by direct contact (broken skin, eyes, nose, and mouth) with blood and bodily fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola.

·         Examples include: urine, feces, saliva, vomit, sweat, and semen.

·         Objects, such as needles that have been contaminated with same blood/bodily fluids can also spread the virus.

·         There is no current evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola.  At this time only humans, bats, monkeys, and apes can spread the disease.

·         A person who is infected with Ebola cannot spread the disease until symptoms appear.  The patient who died in Texas showed no symptoms until four days after arrival in the Dallas from West Africa.

·         The incubation period from time of exposure is up to 21 days before a person can be considered contagious.   The CDC says the average time is around 8 to 10 days.

·         Signs and Symptoms of Ebola are: fever (greater than 101.5), severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. 

·         A person is truly contagious when they begin to shed the disease (bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea).



Map of Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia

·         Keep in mind that many diseases or medical conditions can also exhibit some of these same signs/symptoms.  Currently, your greatest risk for exposure to Ebola comes from recent travel to any area in West Africa that is affected by the current outbreak (Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea).

 

 

 

 

 

The Do’s and Do Not’s

The CDC recommends the following actions as a way to protect oneself against Ebola, especially if you have to absolutely travel to West Africa.  Most of these recommendations, if practiced, can help reduce the spread of many contagious illnesses like the flu or common cold.

·         Practice good personal hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water.

·         Never touch the blood, bodily fluids, or items contaminated with the same of someone who is sick.

·         Do not touch the body, clothes, or bedding of someone who has died from Ebola.

·         When in West Africa: Do not play with monkeys and baboons or eat any wild meat from the affected regions. 

What’s Being Done

·         The CDC and Customs and Border Protection are conducting the screening of persons who have traveled to the US from the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Chicago-O'Hare

·         The following airports are involved in the entry screening: New York’s JFK, Washington-Dulles, Chicago-O’Hare, and Atlanta-Hartsfield.

 

 

 

 

 

·         The CDC has provided Emergency dispatch centers across the county with guidelines for screening callers who present with symptoms that may be Ebola-related.  The questions ask a person about signs, symptoms, and travel history to and from West Africa.

·         Local hospitals are also following guidelines for infection control within their facilities with respect to the Ebola virus.  Keep in mind that every day, healthcare workers deal with infectious diseases/contagious illnesses that are more common in the US than Ebola (influenza, MRSA, TB, etc.). 

·         The training currently being conducted by persons in the healthcare related fields enhances what they already know about infection control to include the Ebola Virus.  This training will remind us to continue due diligence with respect to infectious diseases, and not just the Ebola Virus.

·         The CDC has also released guidelines for decontamination of ambulance equipment should they transport someone suspected or confirmed with Ebola.  Again, this enhances what we already know about infection control procedures.

·         Some hospitals have applied to the CDC to be designated as one(s) that are prepared to accept and treat Ebola patients should the need arise.  They are currently awaiting confirmation of this status.

IDPH

·         The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a 24-Hour Ebola Hotline that all residents can call to have questions answered: 1-800-889-3931. If you do not reside in Illinois, check with your own State’s Public Health Department to see if a similar hotline exists.

 

     The other day, I attended a meeting concerning the Ebola virus at my local EMS Region’s office.  The Project Medical Director stated that the response to Ebola is a dynamic process, and can change daily pending further information that they receive.  It was also related that we should continue to practice good infection control procedures with every patient we contact.  Especially, since the flu season is right around the corner.  This is one of the best actions we can take to ensure the health and wellbeing of us all.  Until next time:

In Health and Wellness,

 

Tim

 

 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014).  About Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever.  Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/about.html on 8/6/2014.