ERDoc

Foreplay. You have something against classic freestyle?

I can guarantee you this had nothing to do with him being a patient advocate as it does with him showing who has a bigger penis.

This is a public place, the pt has no right to privacy from members of the public.

I personally know the guy so I will keep my personal opinions to myself other than to say he is probably the highest paid volunteer ambulance chief in the country, making $97,000/year last I heard. So Mike, even though he didn't "smack the camera away," he still touched it. Isn't that battery? This is a public place and we had a pretty lengthy discussion about this on another thread and I believe it was JP that provided links to legal precedence that says the photographer has every right to be there. There is no expectation of privacy when the incident is in public. As others have stated this video just reeks of unprofessionalism from the battery, the inappropriate example set by the chief in the presence of his crew down to the shorts that I believe are an OSHA violation.

Since you are new here, I'll give you a little personal background. I grew up and trained in NY, the litigation capital of the world so I know a little about litigation. It doesn't matter whether you feel a person has a good reason or not, if they have the capacity to make their own decisions, no matter how stupid it may seem to us, they have the right to do so. It has nothing to do with policies or protocols. It has to do with the law and the law says that if someone has the capacity to make their own decisions, you cannot make them go otherwise it is battery, assault and/or kidnapping. It is not my opinion, it is legal jurisprudence.

Yes, I would agree that this person clearly needs medical treatment. I would not agree with the fact that kidnapping this person is ethical. If your ER doctor allowed this, he/she clearly does not understand what consent and capacity mean. Based on you and your doctor's thought process, can we assume that you force all pts to go to the ER against their will?

Did I mention you need to document? Otherwise, if it goes to court, you won't have leg to stand on.

Try explaining that one to the pt. "Sir, you can't feel your feet because of the tube in your nose."

Holy wrong hole Batman! What is the story behind this one?

I know those farmers you speak of. There is not much you can do. You have assessed him and determined that he needs to go, but also has the capacity to refuse. He seems to understand the risk of not going. DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.

After reading the other thread, you are probably right.

You are comparing apples to oranges. The EMTs at a volley take the same state test in NYS that someone who is paid takes. Most people who work in NYC have some form of volley background. EDIT: As for the OP, don't fall in to the false assumption and misconception that goes around VACs, experience is fine and dandy but it means nothing with out the education to understand it. If your goal is to get in with FDNY then getting the volley experience is cool, but don't stop the learning process.

Am I the only one that smells a troll here?

Hey Rich, I used to live in Montgomery when I was much younger. Beautiful area. Hope things get working for you soon.

Don't start picking on people who call it a bus. People with pericarditis don't care if you call it a bus.

Do you mind if I ask why you are not planning on medical school? There is nothing wrong with being a paramedic but at that point you are half way to your MD/DO, why not just keep going? If you find EMS is a passion, you can still be involved. There is a new subspecialty in EMS for those who are EM trained.

I don't know Kiwi. I think we might need to hit you with some Geodon.

Here, every psych pt goes to the ER. Every psych facility requires that the pts be "medically cleared" before they can go to a psych facility, even if they have no underlying medical issues. These pts are usually pretty easy to care for, standard set of labs, call social work and wait for them to find a bed.

I just started reading The Emergency Monologues. The first few stories have been funny. It's a good book for days on the road as the stories are short so you can squeeze in a chapter or two between calls.

Some classics from over the years: EMT-Beyond the lights and sirens by Pat Ivy (there is also a sequel to it) Any book by Grayson or Canning Paramedic by Paul Shaprio Trauma Junkie by Janice Hudson Shock Trauma by Pat Jensen (it's fiction written as nonfiction and a bit sappy but I enjoyed it)

Sure, the only problem is I never get that one third. That's the free, EMTALA mandated care we provide. Then the govt takes one third of what I have left. So, in continuing to pay it forward, I will donate one third of what remains to the spenac imbibing foundation.

I think one thing we have to keep in mind is that no one likes to admit their mistakes. I don't think it is so much a machismo thing as it is a punishment thing. Airline pilots are encouraged and protected when they make mistakes. When we make a mistake we are looking at the loss of our license/job/house/etc. We need to create an environment where we do not worry about the life changing consequences when mistakes are made. This should not be mistaken for saying we should allow gross negligence (such as described by the OP), that should not be tolerated.

But I enjoy the government mandated charitable giving of 1/3 of my pay check to care for those who have nothing and pay nothing but can still sue me into bankruptcy.

I say, buy Mastercard stock. This way when you pay your bill and see all of the interest you can feel like you are paying yourself.