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pt locked in ambulance

WTF is going on in that country?

Oops. I've forgotten many pieces of equipment - even the cot, but never a patient.

I believe it was a PTS vehicle, not an emergency ambulance like in the picture, therefore very possibly single manned. http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/Default.aspx?Id=907 Either way, FAIL on the part of the driver. Should have done a post trip check (like the school bus drivers do here) for any old codgers who had slumped out of site.

I don't think the locking was the issue here. The issue is that they simply forgot about him and went off shift with the patient still in their ambulance. But yeah... where the Hell was the attendant, and how did he forget he had a patient. This has got to be a first for me.

They only staff ambulances with a driver? ...and how do you forget that you have a patient in the back? It's not a tour bus, they're like literally five feet away. Fail.

At this stage turnip we are not asssting in any way. Having said that, following an outbreak of avian flu in south east asia a couple of years ago, it was decided that due to our proximity to asia, Ambulance could be utilised if necesarry for mass innoculations. Protocols & pharmacologies were written. So the potential is there for us to be used, but, we are fortunate in that is is the wrongs time of year for us & we have a number of months to get organised to have them done. Phil

First aid walk in's, and hay bail fires. The younger kids fall, and the older kids turn into arsonists.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0934814/

This should prove to be an interesting and controversial flu season. It should also present arguments for other medications and devices that haven't been approved by the FDA. Emergency Use Authorization of Peramivir IV http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eua/peramivir.htm The Canadians are watching this also: http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?channel_id=131&relation_id=1883&news_channel_id=131&news_id=29303 http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091023/national/flu_new_drug Newspaper story: CDC Makes Unapproved H1N1 Drug Available The unapproved antiviral that saved a teen's life is now more widely available in emergencies. http://www.emsresponder.com/features/article.jsp?id=10893&siteSection=24 Oct. 29--He was a healthy teenager from another country, visiting friends and relatives in Minnesota, when he got sick. Then really sick. In early September, he wound up at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, near death with complications from H1N1 flu. But his doctors there were able to get their hands on an experimental antiviral drug that saved his life. A month after he was admitted, the teenager walked out of the hospital and was able to go home to his own country. The 17-year-old boy, who has not been identified, was among the first H1N1 patients in the United States to get the new drug, Peramivir. On Friday, the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took the unusual step of making the unapproved drug available to hospitals across the country for emergency use in just such cases. Peramivir is similar to other antivirals, such as Tamiflu. What makes it unique is that it can be given intravenously. Other, similar drugs have to be swallowed or inhaled with an inhaler, and are widely used both in and out of hospitals. When patients are near death or in organ failure like the 17-year-old at HCMC, an intravenous drug is the only option, said the boy's doctor, Dr. Stacine Maroushek, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist at the medical center. "I don't think he could have been any closer to death without dying," Maroushek said. He had severe bleeding in his digestive track, almost every organ had failed, and he was on a ventilator to help him breathe. Doctors could not have gotten any other antiviral into his system, she said. But Maroushek was familiar with an experimental drug made by a small company called BioCryst of Birmingham, Ala. She had to get permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use the drug in the boy's case. That meant she had to fill out numerous forms, get permission, then contact the company, which sent it to her. "We were able to get it within 24 hours," she said. "After he was on the medicine for a day and a half or two days, he started turning around." Like all antivirals, the drug works by suppressing the growth of the virus in the body, allowing the immune system to fight off the infection. Since early September, the drug has been available on what's known as a "compassionate use" basis around the country for hospitalized patients with severe H1N1 infections. Maroushek said the teenager at HCMC was the third person and the first pediatric patient in the country to receive it. That doesn't mean, however, that it will always work. The same drug reportedly was given without success to Michael Milbrath, the Waseca hospital executive who died Saturday of complications from H1N1. On Friday, his family said on his CaringBridge website that Milbrath, 54, had received "the new experimental drug" at Immanuel St. Joseph's hospital in Mankato. Milbrath had been hospitalized Oct. 14 in intensive care with complications of the flu, according to the CaringBridge site. As his condition worsened, doctors received permission on Oct. 22 to use Peramivir, and the drug was flown in from the East Coast overnight, the family reported. He received the drug Friday, but died the following day. His funeral will be held today in Waseca. A spokesman for the medical center declined to comment on Milbrath's treatment, citing patient confidentiality laws. Under the new emergency-use designation, doctors can get Peramivir directly from the CDC in Atlanta, Maroushek said. It is designated for patients who have run out of other options, either because other treatments failed or they can't use other antiviral medications. Doctors must report any side effects or complications to the federal government. The company, BioCryst, said last week that it has donated 1,200 courses of the drug to the federal government for use during the flu pandemic. It also said it is producing 130,000 more and is prepared to make additional doses, if necessary. The company is conducting a formal clinical trial in 400 patients nationwide that is expected to be completed by April 2011.

Firstly great link thanks Vent, just FYI we now have an RRT dependent on a ventilator in Calgary this minute (no vaccine available) pity, the newest release is now shortages in vaccine the demand here is huge ... so for those doubters in the crowd looks like your in the minority and may be too late ... OK so EBM anyone heard of just one death from either type inoculation .. I AM ALL EARS ! So the history of the development of drugs/medicine Banting and Best a perfect example (ants in dogs urine with pancreas removed resulted in development of Insulin) by just good observational skills one of the most familiar is ventolin/albutrol used initially to slow premature labour a women that just "happened" to be asthmatic and suddenly improved (yes a sidebar) Could it be that sometimes the mother of invention is necessity, we see this every day in ICUs as when your down to multi system failures anything is worth a go, for those bothering to read these posts if you havent been there consider yourself DAMN lucky. My son now 18 informed me hes not getting the vaccine cause drug companies are just making money .... the 18 year old mentality OMG, I wish he could read this excerpt: Lurarative ... hmm thanks Roche,GlaxoSmithKline, looks like someone is ! I think with this announcement by CDC they are running scared !!!! The demographic at risk of increased mortality morbidity has taken us off guard, young healthy vigorous children and in under 48 hours from minor symptoms to death. Please click on the MAP LINKS listed on the WHO site and please remember that many countries do not have the capability to report accurately due to health care funding, and the stats are not this weeks snapshot either, so lets look at the bigger picture. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/updates/en/index.html Make NOTE of this link if you dare: The qualitative indicators monitor: the global geographic spread of influenza, trends in acute respiratory diseases, the intensity of respiratory disease activity, and the impact of the pandemic on health-care services. Ok so the other side of the controversy ... this H1N1 is just normal stuff its nothing just a cold yea people die so whatever EH .... NOW the question must be asked: ARE WE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT SPANISH TYPE FLU ? that killed 50 million, these stats are screaming at us all. cheers

On the bright side, this show did give me a great idea for a costume for the Halloween party at medic school... I'm going to wear a jumpsuit with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows and a pair of aviators and walk around arbitrarily injecting people with versed!

The character "Chuck" is a nerd who inadvertently ended up with a host of government secrets trapped in his brain. The show is about Chuck and the adventures he (and his government handlers) end up in as a result of the secrets trapped in his brain. That's the quickest "Coles Notes" version I can come up with at 0100 hours anyway.

I found this on the NEMSMF website.. Thought it was an interesting read. National EMS Museum Foundation Richard H. Ferneau, 90, of Washington Court House, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, September 8,2009 at Fayette Memorial Hospital. Mr. Ferneau was born on May 19, 1919, and lived most of his life in the Fayette County area. After graduation from high school in 1937, he joined the Washington Mortuary Supply Company on a full-time basis in the office and then in the plant as Production Assistant and Plant Foreman. During World War II, Mr. Ferneau served from 1942 to 1945 as a member of the U.S. Army in Corozal in the Isthmus of Panama. After the war, he rejoined the Washington Mortuary Supply Company where he became General Manager in 1947. He pioneered the use of aluminum tubing rather than steel to build mortuary and ambulance cots, greatly reducing the weight ambulance attendants had to carry. Considered a breakthrough at the time, most ambulance builders converted to using the Ferneau cot which subsequently became the standard of the industry. He later developed and introduced the first elevating ambulance cot in 1952, which set the standard for all ambulance cots used today. He literally changed how ambulance patients were handled and transported throughout the entire world as Ferno sells into 100 different countries. In June of 1955, Mr. Ferneau left the Washington Mortuary Company and formed the Ferno Manufacturing Company in Staunton, Ohio. He was then joined by a partner, Elroy Bourgraf, and the company moved to Circleville, Ohio, and then to Greenfield, Ohio. In 1960, Ferno Manufacturing acquired the Washington Mortuary Company and the company named was changed to Ferno-Washington, which is now located in Wilmington, Ohio. Over the years, Mr. Ferneau remained concerned with improving patient care and comfort as well as reducing the physical strain endured by EMT's and Paramedics in lifting and carrying of patients. This led to the development and introduction of elevating and variable-height cots as well as roll-in mortuary and ambulance cots. The H-frame, X-frame, and Independent Leg Cots currently used throughout the world are all derived from Mr Ferneau's designs. Other developments in Mr. Ferneau's career were longer casket trucks and prep tables for mortuary use, and the development of the "slimline" hinge used in all folding stretchers and carrying chairs. Up until his death, he persisted in working on next -generation products, and was the owner of 16 U. S. patents. In 1990, Richard Ferneau was awarded the National Association of Emergency Medical Technician's highest honor, the Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award. During this award ceremony, the following statements outlined Dick Ferneau's contribution to the emergency industry: "Any EMT or Paramedic who has moved a patient owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Ferneau for his list of contributions dating back to 1945. Richard is an inventor, an innovator, a benefactor and a humanitarian. His influence is felt in every EMS system in the United States and Canada, as well as 75 other countries throughout the world."

Yeah no jump just a drive over the border, thing is and I am hearing through the grapevine that Sask College of new fools some how believes in the ACoP advantage, good grief more oversight by the white shirt wanna be types wanting 5 bars on their shirts ... be very aware and get involved before there is a HPA type legislation is passed ... honestly, I would LOVE to support the best CFL team ever cause the Riders ROCK! BUT I am one of very few left here that is willing to fight the good fight (honestly I can't blame the guys that paddled down the SASK River in the winter to flatter pastures, must have been cold and damn it mobey will be next ... that said I don't have a paddle just a handle left, so I'm going to be the biggest PITA that I can possibly be, believing that one needs an effective opposition to be an effective democracy maybe when I'm dead they will understand what and where we went wrong First off personal advice don't allow First Aid Levels/ FMRs/ EMRs to somehow be become Health Care Professionals cause THEY simply ain't, and assure field and hospital endorsements. And no offence intended to any EMR out there those that send me queries and questions daily, I support them as best I can, time to grow and commit. http://www.emtcity.com/index.php/topic/15127-one-month-post-alberta-transition/ Disagreeing with fast tracking Forgien Trained MDS becoming Paramedics in EDMONTON in 24 weeks got me booted from another website .. and thank GOD and I mean my Christian type GOD that EMT City allows freedom of speech, bless you EMT city ! You got that right but you do have some good types east of saskabush and true Leaders in Fact ! ... yeah know, PAC wanted to study just why Paramedics lifespan was so short in the field, there is just no data available and we have no idea where they all go, become plumbers WTF ? The turn over is huge especially in other provinces, the BC CUPE provided studies proved that back injuries were a huge issue ~ 50 y/o and your toast and with 50 % of ACPS retiring in BC as rock_shoes states but those stats/ studies fell by the wayside. Ok, so I tried but seriously had no idea where or how to start as there was no registries at the time and FOIP act was no help at all, hell ACoP has had 5 requests from myself just about my personal records and no response another FAIL HUGE, can't even contact my friends cause its against the regs, all hush hush you know and the listserver site I put motion to floor was defeated, just so we could discuss issues and give grunt on the ground suggestions .... as the US marines say if you can't communicate you cant shoot! Any question Why this motion was defeated ? NOW and especially now with ACoP and their recent Lawyers council advice (oh so don't get me going) the financial divestiture from PAC IMHO one of the biggest FAILURES in the history of development of EMS in Canada, a measly 30 G donation that amount's to $15 CDN per ACoP member, this out of a 3 million budget ? so NO funds from AB to PAC, so zip for a federal lobbies and very serious disappointment with some of the best minds (and hearts) of EMS in our country, sorry Pierre and Eric I did try. FF and LEOs here can retire at 55 ... looks like the rest of us like Medics have to hump stretchers till we are 65 ... good job Mr. AcoP President Renee Linssen EMR good luck with that, FAIL Again ! cheers best support CUPE and the unions cause thats the ONLY democratic freedom we have left.

I suppose I should have actually read the whole article huh? Then yea.. that's pretty terrible. Negatives.... seriously? Have you 'tards even read the posts we made? not sure why that quoted you Dust

With all these rules in place that we are to lock the ambulance up at all times, it was only a matter of time before something accidental like this would happen. People lock their keys in their car all the time. An ambulance is no different. Just because there is a patient, doesn't change much of how people go about their daily routine. Get out of ambulance, close door. Cab is now locked. Provider in the back hops out the side door maybe, closes door. Patient compartment is now locked too. Doors close on their own a lot of the time too. I doubt this was done on purpose, but I am sure it could have been prevented if you were to take the keys with you and paid more attention to the situation.

I honestly hope and pray to God the providers don't have any pets or children because Lord only knows where they may leave them!!! How does one honestly leave a paitent in the rig? It almost sounds as if it was malisciously done....

Toronto EMS participated in the past, not yet this year though. I have not seen anything in any form to give an inkling that we would be participating this year. I seem to recall the nurses union having issue in recent years which may have halted assistance this year. However, based on docharris' response, I could be wrong on that reasoning. Anyway, only "ALS" paramedics administered it in the past (Toronto level 2 [PCP with IV and some other things], and ACP/CCP) I think in the past people were seconded to flu shot duty for a few months. It wasn't like an OT gig or something (pretty sweet though if it was). Meh, I'm sick and tired of the news being absolutely flooded (like seriously, it's retarded) with this.

I could have bet my mortgage you would respond to this with a holier-than-thou post. You did not disappoint. Do you require people to avert their gaze when they meet you? Just wondering.

Who said anything about making derogatory comments about a patient? The crew responded to the call. The crew and FD assisted the patient. The crew and the FD asked the patient if he wanted medical attention. The patient/Lifeline requested assistance for a patient who needed to find his glasses. Was it an emergency that required the lights and siren response of an ALS fire apparatus and an ALS ambulance? Not in my book. Did the patient need help- yep, and he received it. Did anyone refuse to respond? Did anyone refuse to help this person? Were there any claims of verbal abuse by any responders on the scene? Maybe he had no other choice- no neighbor or family member to help him. If the area's service provides this type of help, fine. If you think it's an appropriate use of an EMERGENCY service, that's your opinion. I strongly disagree.