ESO’s Safety Week: Key Insights and Learnings

ESO kicked off the month of May with its inaugural Safety Week, held from May 6th to May 10th, 2024. The week-long celebration and educational initiative united our organization, emphasizing our collective dedication to improving community health and safety through the power of data. Throughout the week, EMS, hospital, and fire professionals were recognized for their vital roles in keeping our communities safe (and just in time for National Nurses Week, National Hospital Week, and National EMS Week all happening this month!).

In addition, ESO highlighted our team members from diverse healthcare and public safety backgrounds through its employee spotlights. Our teams listened as they shared personal accounts of how their past experiences influence their work at ESO, demonstrating how their contributions directly improve community health outcomes.

As ESO’s Safety Week draws to a close, we’re sharing some of the top learnings and highlights from this enriching experience:

Bill Gardner’s Safety Tips

Bill Gardner, ESO’s Director of Fire, delivered practical safety talks throughout the week, drawing from his deep expertise to guide ESO through navigating emergencies with confidence and preparation. He covered everything from fire safety protocols to severe weather preparedness, providing actionable advice that resonates across various settings. Bill’s sessions didn’t just inform – they equipped ESOers with the tools to act decisively, whether facing a fire at home or severe weather threats.

Chief Gardner’s Top Safety Tips:

• 1. Install smoke detectors in key areas of your home and check them regularly to make sure they are functional.
  2. Develop and practice fire escape plans with everyone in your household, making sure everyone understands them and can execute them quickly.
  3. Understand the significance of weather alerts and take appropriate actions during watches and warnings to prepare for severe weather.
  4. Assemble emergency kits with essential supplies like food, water, medications, and other items to sustain you and your family.
  5. Identify safe rooms in your home for protection during severe weather and avoid windows and exterior walls.

Focus on Benefits and Preventative Care

ESO highlighted the importance of employee well-being and preventive care as a key theme throughout Safety Week. Emphasizing the benefits of proactive health management with resources made readily available to assist employees in managing their health and benefits. Through ESO’s partnership with Rightway Healthcare, ESOers are able to manage their healthcare, fostering ESO’s commitment to a culture of wellness.

The benefits of health management include:

• 1. Access to a comprehensive care team comprising health guides, billing specialists, and nurses.
  2. Expert guidance on healthcare questions, insurance coverage, and billing issues.
  3. Personalized medical assistance and advice from qualified nurses.
  4. A focus on prevention through proactive outreach and health awareness initiatives.
  5. Convenient access to telehealth services for medical consultations and prescriptions.
  6. Streamlined access to quality healthcare providers through the Rightway app.
  7. Empowerment of employees to take ownership of their health and well-being.

Technology’s Role in Community Safety

“The US healthcare system is at a crisis point, where its workers are increasingly expected to do more with less. Technology that reduces this burden is essential for sustainability.”

– Danielle Collins, Customer Success Manager, ESO

Healthcare and emergency services industries are experiencing a growing demand for technological solutions. And at ESO, we’re dedicated to improving community health and safety through the power of data.

Here are some ways you can bridge the gap between technology and real-world applications:

• 1. Check your toolkit. See if your current technology stack enables fast and informed decisions during emergencies.
  2. Leverage the power of data. Analyzing your emergency response data can help you identify strengths and areas for improvement in your protocols and training programs.
  3. Educate your team. Make sure everyone knows how to use these technologies effectively. Regular training can help everyone from first responders to hospital staff make the most of the available tools.
  4. Ensure bi-directional communication. Integrating a tool like ESO Health Data Exchange with your current systems can improve the speed and accuracy of information flow from the field to the hospital.
  5. Share success stories. Sharing positive outcomes within your organization and with stakeholders can help build support for ongoing use and investment in technology.

The ESO Electronic Health Record and ESO Patient Registry allow first responders to quickly access a patient’s medical history for better informed decisions on the best possible care. ESO Health Data Exchange improves the transfer of data from the emergency scene to the hospital and enables the medical team to start care immediately. And ESO Insights helps teams analyze data to improve emergency response strategies and training.

Safety is not just a one-week initiative but a continuous year-round effort. By leveraging the power of data, technology, and collective action, ESO will continue to make meaningful strides toward our mission of ensuring a safer and healthier future for all.