rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
TROY, CANTON — Western Alliance is excited to announce that they will now be able to carry Cefazolin in their ambulances.
Cefazolin is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms. It is also used to help prevent infection in people having certain types of surgery.
According to Western Alliance Executive Director/CEO Rodney Decker, this is huge for the company, as well as residents of Western Bradford County and the surrounding areas.
“The state decided that they would allow us to start carrying antibiotics on the ambulance,” said Decker. “Those that get the antibiotics sooner versus later have a much better outcome. They don’t get the infection, the bone heals better, because sometimes you’ll get an infection and then the bone won’t heal.”
Decker said the reason for the state’s change is that every state is different when it comes to what can and cannot be on an ambulance.
He also noted that 20 percent of the fractures they see that receive the treatment later on (after the ambulance ride) develop osteomyelitis, an inflammation or swelling that occurs in bones, usually due to an injury, such as a motor vehicle accident. Bone ends don’t heal as well when they become infected. Osteomyelitis is more common in younger children (five and under) but can happen at any age.
Because of WA carrying antibiotics in the ambulance now, this won’t be a problem, as the patient will receive the antibiotics sooner which will lessen the infections that develop by prolonging the antibiotic treatment.
Cefazolin is given as an infusion into a vein. In this case, the dose will be given by a paramedic in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. The antibiotics must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 30 minutes to complete.
Decker says he sees cases that need this medication about a dozen times a year, but the numbers could be higher for the county as a whole. Western Alliance does not just cover Troy and Canton, though, and Decker says he makes almost routine trips to Mansfield, Blossburg, Liberty and Roaring Branch.
“It’s really important to get the antibiotics in as quick as we can,” he said, noting the distance of some local hospitals.
The cost for this service will be paid for by Western Alliance and will officially be available on Nov. 1.
The staff has had to do training for this service and follow specific protocols to be ready for the deadline.
Western Alliance Emergency Services is located at 129 Canton Street in Troy. For more information, call the office at 570-297-1755.