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I think this would be a great addition to our arsenal, and represents one of those areas where EMS could truly provide definitive care (or at least a greater component thereof) if two conditions were met: the first, and always foremost, is education. Like I've been ranting about in another thread, we need to expand our understanding not only of emergency medicine, but all fields of medicine in general. I hear a lot of people in this thread questioning whether or not paramedics could safely determine what wounds are candidates for dermabonding, and the answer is YES! We CAN do that, with the proper education and training. Wound sealing and referral to the patient's primary care physician for antibiotics (I think five days of Keflex is the commonly prescribed antibiotic for prophylaxis of open wounds? Someone correct me if I'm mistaken.) or even (potentially, and understand that I realize how long the road is before we reach this point) actual prescription writing privileges for those patients who don't have a primary care physician. The second component is money. Just like medicare won't pay for the IV supplies and the amp of sugar we use when we wake up diabetics and send them on their way, they're not going to pay for wound care treat and release practices either. Until we can bill for service, no EMS service is going to waste the money on supplies and training to make this a reality. This is one of those niches where EMS could really step up and prove its worth. There are plenty of minor wounds that don't require an ER visit, and by paramedics becoming educated and capable to handle simple wounds on a treat and release basis, we can not only help to bring down the cost of unnecessary ER visits, but also tack on another treatment to the currently small list of things we do that have actually been shown to be cost effective and beneficial to our patients. We've got to stop thinking about pure emergencies and start thinking about minor injuries and illnesses, because, like I've said, we're really not as good as we think we are or as effective as we think we are. The healthcare environment is becoming more and more about "prove to me you're worth your cost", and this is something we really ought to consider capitalizing on if we don't want to go the way of the dinosaurs.

Hey Nick! Welcome to the City! I'm afraid I can't guide you on the FL colleges, but I do know that you need to be really, really, really careful. Yeti may be of some help for you. Also, I know exactly the chat message you're talking about as it still catches me once in a while. That's not a message for you, but showing you how many people are in chat to encourage you to go and join them. Good to have you here! I haven't read them yet, but I see that you are participating in other threads too already! Outstanding! Dwayne

Dust, we have been through rough points together, butted heads on many issues, my personal life became a topic of fights, but my friend, I wouldn't be half the man I am today, the husband that I am to be in October and the father I am to my beautiful little girl, had you not been the blunt and abrupt and actually open hearted man that you are. I have grown in so many ways, as an RN, as an EMT and soon to be NP and Emergency Care Practitioner, combining RN/NP and EMS workforces together out on the road and into the wider communities. Your passion for making us find the answer, find the knowledge and skills, pushed me to strive to the best of my abilities. Whilst I haven't the pleasure of meeting you face to face yet, I would love to sometime soon, and for my daughter to met someone who follows their heart and strives onwards. You have the ablity to fight, now do it. Strive on and you will continue on. If I had the ability I would come there and be your RN, it would be the least I can do to support you. Strive towards the future, you have a neice here in little New Zealand who will be proud to know her Uncle Rob has fought for her liberty and success in this world, my fiance' is a Texan and so we are practically family now Rob . I am sorry, I am actually choked up reading that you've endured this, makes my current busted wrist worthless whilst you are going through this. I owe alot to you, even in the times of our fights, I owe alot to you and as well as doing it for me, I am doing my masters in thought of you, because New Zealand needs your representitive here, and I'll carry that for you. Pro Utilitate Hominum - For the service of mankind. Pro drinkus de beerus - To the good times of life Kissies non homius - Brotherly love. Take care my friend, mentor and guide in emergency medicine. Scotty, Laura, Nicole and Oscar (the dog bark bark)

The possibility definitely exists.

'ello Poppet! Welcome back

Yes. Changed my ID. I'm the one you faxed the cat-EMS letterhead to, in order to test your ambo's new fax machine, during chat.

I believe I remember you, and an Evil Emperor, too, from the old chatroom.

*tackles the Beegsasaurus* How you been sweets?

Alive. Chatrooms are a no-no on a county computer.

<sneezes> <pats blood off split lip> Hey Beegs! How ya' been?

I am liberal ? I thought I was quite the conservative, silly me. I would think it would be hippy liberals who all about having sex with minors, and excusing the behavior. Most liberals are closet child molesters, most conservatives are closet homos, glad I am independant.