Helen Keller Hospital

CourierJournal Northwest Alabama 8 Alabama’s Largest Direct Mail Weekly Courier Journal / May 16, 2012 Keller’s Commitment to Colbert County Saving Lives and Reinvesting in our Community At Helen Keller Hospital, we are extremely proud of our more than 100 dedicated EMS employees, who diligently serve the Shoals area with compassion and professionalism every day in high-stress and life-threatening situations. Our fleet of ambulances is the largest in northwest Alabama. The average response time for Keller EMS in the city of Muscle Shoals is 3.95 minutes. This is faster than the national goal for EMS response, which is 10 minutes or less from the time the call comes in to the time a responder gets to you. We take pride in exceeding State of Alabama equipment requirements. Keller EMS has the most advanced technology in place. First in the state of Alabama to use Physio Control’s life net system, a 12-lead EKG transmitting software integrated with our cardiac monitors. This exceeds the fax-based systems currently used by most ambulances. Using the latest in wireless internet technology, paramedics can send a diagnostic-quality image of a patient’s heart rhythm to hospital emergency rooms, catheterization labs, and even your doctor’s smart phone so heart muscle damage is minimized and lives are saved. Automatic Vehicle Locators with GPS mapping on all units, giving real time information on the location of our ambulances. State-of-the-art Power-pro stretchers made by Stryker that safely accommodate up to 700 pounds. Fluid warmers that enhance care for patients suffering from hypothermia or trauma Our ambulances are capable of transporting two patients at a time while still providing 360 degrees of access. This additional capacity was vital in responding to the April 27, 2011 disasters in Franklin County. Helen Keller Hospital’s state-of-the-art ER facility features 17 rooms, including designated orthopedic, OB/Gyn, and general medicine rooms, as well as two dedicated trauma areas, with radiological services inside the ER. Our ER staff has over 500 years of combined medical experience. Keller EMS has served Colbert County for more than 30 years as part of a not-for-profit organization, which means all profits are reinvested into the health care system. Keller EMS and Helen Keller Hospital are honored to be part of this community and we remain committed to providing the best in quality health care for the people of Colbert County and the Shoals area. K eller EMS employees responded when Izzy Uhlman almost drowned in a swimming pool. Izzy’s mom, Laura, found her daughter and 911 was called as Izzy’s dad began CPR. “ My l ittle Izzy is a miracle c hild,” s aid Muscle Shoals resident Laura Uhlman. “€anks to quick response and efforts of Keller EMS, Muscle Shoals Fire and Air Evac, she has no brain damage, and no lasting effects of her accident. Today she is a very active 5 year-old who loves to play tee ball. It hasn’t slowed her down a bit.” L aura said she is grateful for the help of Keller EMS employees, and that they didn’t forget about Izzy after that event. “ Keller EMS employees were a ll wonderful, especially Sherry Mabe,” said Laura. “Even weeks afterward, we had several of the EMS staff who called and checked on Izzy, which meant a lot to me. God is helping us get past it, and I am so glad she doesn’t remember that horrible day. But when we talk about it, I will be sure to tell her about the wonderful people who responded that day and saved her life.” “a miracle child” Keller EMS Station, located in the heart of Muscle Shoals, behind the Police and Fire Departments at State Street and Gusmus Avenue. Left to right, Sherry Mabe, of Keller EMS, with Izzy and Laura Uhlman. <pagedata>7:0.0514681339:0.966228426:0.948937893:0.0337713398</pagedata>