funkytomtom

I haven't actually gotten that far on it. I do know that we're going to look into atropine and lidocaine. Anyone have suggestions on resources I could look into? I've been looking at drug books so far, and have designs on interviewing an MD and/or a medic.

Not trying to be-little my crime, but I've gotten hired on with a dui almost 4 years ago. I CANNOT drive however. I would think you would be just fine. Five years in the past is what I would expect on a records check.

It might see litigation so I don't think it's entirely appropriate to post details. I've fully addressed the call with two of the medics I work with, so I believe I've learned most of what I can from it. If I feel it becomes alright to share it more fully, I will. Again, I apologize for keeping things so vague.

I don't know what my "suspicious" intent would be. I don't know specifically what I was looking for, but I've gotten "it." This discussion has provided me with a lot of food for thought and a lot of perspective. So...in the end I guess that's what I was looking for. Anyways, your commentary is appreciated, learning to trust my own decisions is something I have to work on indeed.

As a member of the "entitlement generation," I both accept and reject your comments about us. A lot of us do feel entitled and so you are not entirely wrong. I'm thinking hard right now to think whether I fit into that bracket or not. What I do know, is that I take a lot of pride in my personal appearance (uniform, grooming) and the state of our ambulances. I also like to think I don't take shortcuts on calls. I will continue to contemplate this. I also want to bring up another archetype we all probably know: the old burnt out emt/medic. One particular provider in our service stands out to me. Never clean shaven, shirt never tucked in, frankly this provider looks like someone you would expect to show up to fix your plumbing, not your heart. And that's not even mentioning patient care. I do think it's valid for the older (I'm not saying your old, relax) emts/medics to look at us young'uns with some skepticism, but we are not the root of this problem. You either respect the work, or you don't...either way it shows, but it doesn't come from age.

Couldn't agree more. Much ado about nothing if you ask me. Its funny that alcohol is so widely accepted when I know we all go on calls involving alcohol. I would go as far as to say 70 percent of the calls I've been on so far involve booze. I'm not ok with marijuana while driving or on the job, but I have yet to be dispatched to an overdose involving a bong. Anyways, I'm sure there's a lot of people who want that job, the competition will be about as fierce as pot-heads can manage.

Thanks for the replies. I've managed to relax a little bit about this call since my first post. In relation to Herbie mentioning pediatric arrests, this was one of those calls. Two pediatric deaths in the back of the rig. And to Dwayne, I just came here as another resource because I have never had to deal with anything like this and felt you probably all had. I do appreciate your comments, I think the mistake did involve a little bit of tunnel vision, but yes the patient was almost surely doomed. Anyways, I'll be ok, and all your comments have helped.

Thank you. It has been amazing seeing my co-workers and now you really being there. EMS truly is a family, and I would be lost without it.

I had the most critical call I've ever been on the other night. It seems that I missed something that would have given us a slight chance to save a life (very slight). There were multiple critical pt's so I was trying to do a million things at once, and I missed something huge. My boss, my partner, and my one friend I have told about it all stand behind me, but I can't get over the fact that I took away that .01 percent chance at life. I did. ME. "Everyone makes mistakes," or "you did your best and that's all you can do," or "most people would have missed that too," just doesn't seem to be cutting it. I'm sorry if this is repetitive, but I've read the other stress reduction polls and I'd kind of like something that addresses my situation a little more. How do you move on let alone work again after something like this? How big of a mistake is too big to make? Also, I don't really want to talk about the call specifics thanks (I know that's kind of a dick move, but please respect it).

I don't see it that way. They didn't do a poll of people's views on EMS and write the story based on that. Whatever they are writing about, be it policing, fire, EMS, or and ER, they always add the same elements of recklessness, unstable characters, and of course...sex. I wouldn't read that much into it.

The show sucked, but whats really funny is how seriously offended some of you are. Sorry if I'm being insensitive, but the ability to see a little humor in things never hurt anyone. That's the only thing I got out of the show, it was hilariously inaccurate!

I can't drive as we have a "no drive until 25" policy, which probably isn't a bad thing, but I can just picture that "oh shit" moment of running someone over running lights and sirens. I guess you couldn't really stop? You already have a duty to act on the call your headed to it would seem.

What did you expect? Realism? I don't think it really gives us a bad name any more than "House" gives doctors a bad name. There might be certain people who believe ems is really this way, but they are few and probably quite stupid anyways. A realistic ems show would tank quick: aesthetically unpleasing medics sit around station, watching tv, then respond to a situation where nuances play a much greater role than explosions or sex... I'll probably watch it just for kicks if I happen to be sitting around...

here's a potential thesis...."Our paper will discuss the importance of understanding intracellular physiology when administering cardiac medications. We intend to go beyond the simple explanation of a drug action IE: parasympatholytic, and look at what actually happens when you administer a specific medication, and why your patient is getting better (or worse). We think this further understanding will better prepare the emt to make the right decisions in the field." Thanks for all the ideas that didn't make it too! Tetralogy of Fallot is really interesting!

Nitro in Right Ventricular Ischemia or Infarction? Thats what I gather... Chbare, its funny that you just described my understanding of albuterol's action wholly and completely That might make a good topic. One thing that makes it difficult is that I'm supposed to take a position and present a thesis before the paper is done. I would much rather research, THEN form an opinion and take a position. For instance, describing the adrenergic response with bronchodilation, what is my position? I believe that adrenergic stimulation leads to bronchodilation, and I will prove it dammit! Thanks for the responses, its stimulating the thought response in my brain...

Hey all, I have a ten paper position paper to write for my emti class. Thus far I have generally chosen cardiology as a topic. I want some kind of engaging issue to take a position on, and I can think of just about 0. I'm not looking for you to decide my paper topic for me, but some ideas to spur me on would help. I've been thinking about addressing medications and their effects on heart rhythms, but again, I don't really have any "position" to take on this. Just to be clear, I DO NOT want my homework done for me, but I would appreciate some guidance to an interesting facet of cardiology so I can further my own learning.

I will admit my example was bad. It makes it seem like I condone drugged driving, but if you read down a little farther, I clearly state I do not. I DO think that a stoned driver is safer than a drunk one, but I NEVER said it was ok. Please refrain from putting words in my mouth.

The moi is a bit scary, especially because you don't know how fast they were going. I've heard stats that as many as 75 percent of people that are tossed/jump from a car die. BUT...if he isn't ETOH (oh btw, what does ETOH stand for? i know what it means), is a and ox4, you can't take him.

The point that you have to accept the risks of using marijuana is a good one. The original ski-patrollers that use that I mentioned don't really look at ems as a career path. I believe anybody that IS looking into ems for the long term and uses would be either very comfortable rolling the dice, or very foolish. Anyways...I think my points have been made...

he has a job where I would be surprised if half the employees weren't loaded on pills and vodka (yes, seriously). maybe he was a congressman

I agree meth-heads aren't the only idiots out there. I think where we fundamentally disagree is when you say even a little bit is too much. A little bit of weed is much much safer than drinking in my opinion. The drunk dude is swerving all over the road and running reds, while the stoned guy is still waiting for the stop sign to turn green. I'm not saying it's ok in all circumstances, including driving or on the job, but you have yet to convince me that it is wrong at all times and every time. There are A LOT of working professionals who use marijuana in a safe and confidential manner, and whose work does not suffer for it. Again, certain idiots are not confidential or safe with it, and I would not want to work with any of these "dude, bro these tones going off is harshing my mellow, leme hit the bong one more time" types.

Hm...interesting... but I just have a hard time getting all uppity about someone smoking weed on the side. The situation you bring up illustrates someone who is out of control with their drug use. Its just like someone who drinks to me. If you drink right up until your shift starts, that's no good, you'll be drunk on the job, same thing with weed. I realize the legality issue, but just because its a law doesn't mean its infallible.

There should be at least one class night in emt basic devoted to proper time management. I always tell myself I'll study or do something productive, but inevitably end up sitting around telling raunchy jokes or watching tv and eating ice cream. How professional.

Well that's just great Herbie, the call was made by the hospital which the patient contacted. Apparently he took the pills, and called the hospital "just to have someone to talk to." In retrospect I am in total disbelief we didn't take this guy in. Three issues, 20 aspirin is a suicide attempt no matter what the pt says, even if it wasn't they are still potentially sitting in his belly and bound to cause problems, and third, he was drunk. I will NOT give this crew leader much in the way of trust if I do end up getting hired on. I will now go beat myself up...

That's kind of what I was afraid of. I was actually out there for a ride-along/interview trying to get on with this service, so I didn't really want to "rock the boat." Maybe I should have. The particular provider that was in charge on this call has earned somewhat of a reputation for laziness and lack of concern for pts (why do assholes like that get promotions?). It seems he's always looking to get a refusal so we can take off. He also got off shift in about an hour, and all our transports are at least four hours. One of the other emts on the call seemed to think this was the reason he wanted to leave the guy. I'm not sure what medical direction had to say, as this same crew leader was the one on the phone with them as we were in the motel room. I also realize that an ASA overdose probably wouldn't affect vitals until much later. This really bums me out. Just to be sure, if he is alert and orientedx4, denies that he was ever suicidal, but admits to taking 20 asa, and alcohol and a mostly empty pill bottle are found on scene, we take him?