On August 12th, 2026, New Bedford EMS placed two Sapphire IV Infusion pumps into service and added two new medications. The two pumps were placed onto our rapid response vehicles, EMS-4 and PM-1, which are both staffed 24-7 by senior Paramedics. This new piece of equipment now allows our Paramedics to administer a wider variety of medications to our patients in their time of need.
Paramedics now have access to a lifesaving medication called Norepinephrine. Norepinephrine has direct effects on the heart, increasing blood pressure and aiding in perfusion. Most
Sapphire Pump, vials of Norepinephrine and Nitrogylerin
commonly given when a patient goes into shock or is experiencing life threating low blood pressure. While access to medications of this nature is not new to EMS, the Norepinephrine now gives our Paramedics a choice of medications when they find a patient in this situation. The ability to administer this medication by an IV Infusion pumps ensures that the patient is getting the correct dose at the correct rate.
In addition to the Norepinephrine, New Bedford EMS is now carrying IV Nitroglycerin. In a similar fashion, placed on the rapid response vehicles this allows for greater coverage and availability to all patients in the City while limiting costs to the Department. Nitroglycerin which is classified as a vasodilator is used in the emergent settings of patients having severe difficulty breathing due to heart failure. While the Nitroglycerin does not replace the first line treatments for these patients, it allows our Paramedics to start more advanced care earlier, care that in the past had to wait until the patient arrived at an Emergency Department and was seen by a doctor.
As always with any new equipment and medications there was in-service training to ensure that all Paramedics who have access to it are familiar with the protocols and procedures as well as being comfortable performing the new skills in the field. As well as training, there comes support and education from our Medical Directors at SouthCoast Health St. Luke’s, Dr Bivens and Dr Morris. Both are large supporters of New Bedford EMS and make these advances we are going through possible.
Remaining committed to growing and changing with the healthcare industry has never not been an option for New Bedford EMS. When the technology, trends and best practices change you can expect NBEMS to be there as well, embracing the change and always striving to be better, and do better for our patient’s and the community.