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Alright everyone the chat has been open to all members for awhile now. The chat is usually empty or has very few people. I was thinking of setting up designated times where more people can arrange to come chat with other members, and get a chance to meet and talk with your fellow posters. I made a poll to see when would be a good time for the majority of members to come chat. If we can decide on a day and time that would be great. Also, this doesn't mean if you can't be around that time doesn't mean you can't chat at other times! People are there once in awhile. I am merely trying to arrange a gathering of sorts. edited: to fix poll questions

If I were visiting an Asian (true asian, just moved here) for dinner, I dont think I would expect them to cook me a dinner consisting of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, pinto beans, and homemade biscuits. Hopefully if he/she came to my home, they would not expect me to make a traditional asian meal. People who have come to this country should respect our traditions, as we should if we went to their country. We should respect each other and try to honor each other's values if we can. With that being said, why hasn't anyone taken the proactive role (oh i forgot this is ems, we are always reactive, never proactive). I bet that no matter what city you live in, there is a church that represents these various foreigners (muslim, buddhist, johovah witness, mormons, pentecostals, goat worshipers, whatever), why not invite that church to create an inservice to educate you to their beliefs (you could create a file on your laptop that allows you to see these issues by clicking on the "muslim patient icon" you created. Why not go speak to their church, and walk through some scenarios to educate them to what we do (remember the youtube video of the guy transporting a dead patient on the back of a bicycle, and dropping him), maybe they do not know that we can do a 12 lead, and ambulance in their country might be little more than an empty van with lights and sirens. So let's quit whining about what it should be, and get proactive and create what it WILL BE. Nah, lets sit on our fat asses and bitch about it, that is much easier.

Like any treatment, I would simply put it back on the patient and/or family members. Say "In order for us to properly assess and treat this person we need to do A, B, and C. We will be as respectful of modesty as possible, but if you refuse to allow us to do our jobs, then you must sign this release from liability that says you acknowledge and understand the possible risks and consequences(and clearly outline those details for them) for refusing to let us properly do our jobs." Essentially it's no different than if someone refuses spinal immobilization or IV access. I do remind the patient that they called for EMS, not a taxi, and this is what we are trained to do. I explain we take every step possible to protect the patient's privacy and modesty. In the case of a critical and/or incompetent patient, I know things get trickier. Law enforcement is an option, as is treating outside the view of family(in my experience, the patient is generally not the one who objects the most). At this point your responsibility is to the patient, not to honor the religious preferences of the family. If at all possible, get verbal and/or written consent from the patient, DOCUMENT that fact, and do what you have to do. Obviously if you feel threatened, and LEO's are not an option, then do what you need to do to protect yourself, rapid transport, and document the hell out of the call in case there is a bad outcome.

Care to explain how dehydrating, and depleting potassium in a CHF pt does any good?