firedoc5

We've all been there. Like a couple of other posters said, "Have fun with it". Relax. Stay with your basic (not Basic) Medic training. Don't get in a hurry. Stay calm at all times. Use good old fashion common sense along with your training. You'll do just fine. Sounds like your preceptors have good faith in you. But do use your Basic training when that's all you need. You'll know when to use ALS over BLS. Don't over-complicate things.

I'm just going to make a quick and simple reply on what I got out of reading the OP. Sounds as if the Medics, when they got there, didn't think it was all that bad and did not need an ambulance. Did they even take all the vitals and exam? They might have just made a quick assessment and didn't think that other than transport, there was nothing else for them to do. There could be a number reasons why they thought their services were not needed. But I'll also go as far as saying that the Medics may have been tired, or burned out, etc. and just didn't want to transport her. They may have just wanted to go back to their station as soon as they could. It was just a bad error in judgement all the way around as far as the Medics go. And their reaction, or lack there of, may have falsely given the mother a sense of it not being too bad. When the Medics said that she could just drive her to an ER or some place, the mother may have thought the clinic was "good enough". Get a few sutures and a lollipop and be on their way. The clinic screwed up too. They should have called EMS immediately. Are they apologizing too, I wonder. In the OP it didn't mention the "why's and the because's" that they didn't think they were needed. Whenever we had a head trauma of a child, especially if requiring stitches, we always transported. Depending on the size of the child, we had different ways to immobilize them the best we could. But if probation is all they got, they got off very lightly. When you hear about something like this you almost get the "knee jerk" reaction of saying they should have been fired. But it's not a decision to to make quickly. Suspended, probation, demotion, dismissed, or a combination, are the things to take into consideration. I've worked at some places that by their standards, you would be fired no questions asked. So, all in all, The Medics screwed up, the clinic screwed up, the whole story is screwed up. Sorry, I wrote more than I thought I would.

"Sundown" - Gordon Lightfoot

Every now and then my brother and I would do something like that, especially my brother. He'd come up with the worse scenarios. But what's bad, he'd be telling the truth with the long drawn out story, then tell the lie. And people thought I was twisted???

I'll take it. Leave a four pack of Zima.

It shouldn't be a problem at all becoming an EMT. But it could be a mild set back being hired somewhere. I know where a county service that is ran out of a prison. And one of those guys came to work with us. Other than being a habitual lier, had no problems with him.

AMEN. :notworthy: I don't think there was a day that he wasn't chewed out, argued with, or just flat caused some kind of turmoil. :violent1: He was a Basic but was so cocky he had an attitude of knowing more than anyone else that worked there. Loud, boisterous, obnoxious. :violent3: He didn't last long. The only reason we got him was because his daddy was a close friend of the owner's family.

My mother recently had a knee replacement. Since I'm in IL and my folks are in LA I wasn't there for the surgery. But between my father and sister they have let me know things....little by little. My mother has always been healthy other than occasional hypoglycemic and every now and then a little low on iron. First my dad was telling me how well it went. No problems. A few days later he called me asking what it meant when an ECG showed an inverted T wave. Evidently that's one of the comments my dad over heard the doc saying. On the 22nd I called to talk to her for her birthday, but she was busy with home health being there. Got talking to my sister and she said that they had to give her a blood transfusion. Then it came down to the fact that she had two transfusions of plasma. I had to wait until the next day to finally talk to my mother. Other than being in a lot of pain, and not being able to tolerate Hydrocodone, and the Darvocet wasn't helping much, she was feeling fine. But she's the type that could have had her knee crushed and she'd just say that she tweaked it. Being so far apart is so hard. And with all that was going on, I really wish I could have been there, especially when I found out about the transfusions. I know that's not normal for that kind of knee surgery but my family, even though they had been EMT's at one time or another, couldn't give me an appropriate answer to why she needed them. I guess VNA comes everyday and PT comes three times a week. So she is getting the care she needs. And I know her being in bed just killed her during Thanksgiving. She's the typical kitchen-holic. Maybe around Easter we can go down and see my folks. Or I might have to jump on a Greyhound again for a solo trip.

Nope, but it does sound like his date.

When it comes to pain meds, there are those that knock you out. And there are the ones that you still hurt, but you just don't care as much.

OUCH!!! As being stated, keep pt. in position of comfort. I've never broken my hip and/ or pelvis, but I have had sciaticas numerous times and that cushioning between the knees makes a world of difference. My mother did too. Now I personally, usually, if used the scoop stretcher, removed it once pt. was placed on the cot. Now I know how some will leave the scoop under them. I've heard so many arguments to leave it or remove it. How about y'all?

Take it. Use to have a subscription. Leave behind a new Bible.

"Still the One" - Orleans

Unless it's a digital read out, it's sort of hard to give an odd number. We did have a medic that would only read his BP's rounded off by fifths. If the sys. was 118, he'd round it up to 120. Or if it was 112 he'd round it down to 110. He'd do this all the time. At first we thought that maybe he was having problems seeing the hash marks, but he said he could see fine and that's just the way he has always done it, and unless a doc "gave him grief" about it or God told him not to, he would continue doing it his own way. And I just love the guy/ gal that would give a diastolic when palpating for a BP. You just don't know to laugh or cry about it.

I also agree with Wendy. One of the best things to do is ask the BSA's top level people. I will hit on a couple of little things. One big little thing is, do not let two scouts share their meds, even if they may be taking the same thing. I've heard at camps where one scout had a problem and another kid was trying to get the camp nurse to let him have some of his medicine. And I would just give the scout a baggie or complete bottle of meds. They may try to take more what was due. And make sure that they have swallowed any pills correctly. You know how some kids hate to take some of their medicines, and will try to hold it under their tongue or cheek. And document, document, document. If someone get's a headache or something, be sure it is in their record whether or not the parents have given permission to give ASA, Motrin, anything OTC, etc. in writing. Sorry if I sound like rambling. I'm doing without a coffee pot for about another week and a half. :coffee: How large is this camp? If it's fairly large I'm surprised they would have a nurse.

I'm sure at one time or another we have all been told to avoid asking "yes or no" questions.

ssssshshhh Ruff is a dude, dude.

We had that happen almost four years ago. So I can completely understand.

I'm an equal opportunity smart aleck.

Back when ITLS was known as BTLS, you were taught to be able to "in-line" intubate, which I'm sure is still being taught. I was in second class taught in the state at the time, so not everyone was familiar with it. I really made a more senior Medic mad when he didn't want tube someone due to not wanting to compromise c-spine. So I asked if I could show him something. At least I asked. But after we got to the hosp. he started to lay into me. The doc and one of the nurses were over hearing this and took my side. I don't think that Medic talked to me for a month. But that was no snot off my nose.

"Eat Me" - Pugsley from the Addams Family: Family Values

"The Weight" - The Band/ Robbie Robertson

I don't care if they are real or not. But IMHO, I'd rather them be small and real than large and fake. But large and real is the ultimate.

You're not kidding on the Caddylances. The smoothest ride I had in a Type III was made by Excellance Ambulance. They're sort of the BMW of ambulances. But that was 17-19 yrs. ago. I don't even know if they are still in business. We had a tour of their operation in Birmingham, AL if I remember right.

Yea, that's it. Thanx for the correction, Rich. You bail me out again. :occasion5: