JakeEMTP

I'm with canuckEMT on this one. I can't see a traction splint be used for a ankle fracture.

After re-reading the post, I apoligise to the original poster. However, the fact still remains, that a BLS provider was going to cancel ALS when in fact his pt. was having an MI. Again, my humblest apologies to the original poster.

Evidently you do need a medic since the call you stated you were going to cancel ALS, when in fact your pt. was having an AMI. I can only speak for myself when I say this. I do not forget where I came from. In fact, I'm still there. However, I chose to upgrade my education to the paramedic level so please don't spread that insecure attitude here.

:shock: Exactly why, as Dustdevil stated, medic's should be on every ambulance. If the ALS ambulance hadn't been on scene you would have cancelled them and your pt. would have possibly coded on you. Nice assessment there. I'm not knocking you specifically, it's just that BLS doesn't have the equipment or education to deal with sick pt's such as the one you stated.

I work with an ALS service that routinely has intercepts with a BLS service in the neighbouring county. I have found for the most part, ALS has been required when they call us. Usually, it is a 15 to 20 min transport from the time of intercept. The BLS crews have been correct for calling us to provide a higher level of pt. care the majority of the time. There has been, on occasion, times when they just could have carried on to the hospital on their own. I feel they call us out of concern, and really not due to lack of confidence.

AZCEP, Wouldn't the size of the KED be a hinderance to providing pt. care once we arrived at the ambulance? My thinking was, being on the board would allow us easier access to perform a more detailed assessment.

We do have that option AZCEP. I find it isn't exactly the best pain reliever for the majority of injuries, give it to a pt. with kidney stones and they will love you forever. 8)

We have 1 short board and 1 KED on our ambulances. We used the short board once for an infant who was thrown off a horse with her adult rider.It worked great as a LSB due to pt's size.

Good idea. :roll: We used to do that in Grade school. Was it in the Fire Dept.?

Surprisingly, Raquel Welch wasn't Jugs. I still prefer "Bringing out the dead" with Nicolas Cage.

I was thinking along the same line Marty. Something like, " Station 53, contact dispatch via land line ". :?

You mean like this Copperhead? <<<<<<<< Love it!!!

This scenario is reminiscent of a call we had last week. We transported a female pt to the ED at approximately 23:00. At 03:00 we were called back to the same residence. UOA, we were confronted by the pt's rather inebriated spouse. He informed us that he didn't require any medical attention, just a ride to the hospital from us since we had transported his wife earlier. When he was informed that we didn't provide such a service, he became somewhat agitated :wink: . At this time, LEO was called to assist. When we departed, PD was explaining to him the proper use of the 911 emergency system.

Dale, Forgive me if I didn't make myself clear. We will put the head end on the lift, raise the lift enough to take the weight off and then lift the wheels. Don't forget, once the head is on the lift, the majority of the weight is supported. Raising the wheels and pushing the stretcher on to the ambulance is the only thing left to do.

There is always the backboard ride. Actually, it's more of a training tool. The FNG is boarded and placed on the stretcher. Driven around like most newbies, then driven around smoothly just to prove a point on how to drive with patients. There is also a grammar and spelling test.

Dale, I agree with your post except for this part. One does not have to lower the stretcher to the ground and then raise the lift. I have used them many times. We either used the handles provided ( there is a picture of this on this thread somewhere ), or we load the stretcher on the lift as if we were going to load it on a regular ambulance. Put the head end on the lift, have your partner grab the wheels and collapse them. Then push the stretcher into the ambulance. Conversely, when unloading, extend the lift, roll the stretcher onto it, then extend the wheels, and Bob's your uncle, roll into the facility like a regular stretcher.

If you document the first time what exactly happened, you shouldn't have to re-write it. If you change it to include something else, than you are correct, that would be the fraud. However, including something in your original ACR that did or didn't happen is also fraud.

I am somewhat but not totally shocked that you would not document exactly what happened. If your pt. walked to the stretcher or to the ambulance, than that is what you document. If your employer doesn't get paid for the run, than so be it. But to actually and obviously omit something is just plain fraud.

:laughing3: :notworthy:

als newbie, I can assure you NC is not looking at this level. There has been talk for the last few years of NC becoming a NR state. Personally, I can take it or leave it. I know it's good for EMS as a whole, but unless I decide to move, it doesn't affect me. IMHO, there should be only 2 levels. Basic ( which would be the current EMT-I) and Paramedic. Or, we could do like ours friends to the north ( Go Senators! ) do and call everyone a paramedic, just different levels of it.

Had a call once where the C/C was a " cut on the hand ". We assessed their injury, nothing to serious, just a superficial 2 cm cut, minimal bleeding. We bandaged his lac and said he would require stitches to close it. He informed us that he didn't have any other way to get to the ED, so could we take him. Being concerned providers we informed him that it would be cheaper to take a taxi. In retrospect, he most likely got a free ride to the ED from us considering where we picked him up :roll:. On the other hand, we had a respiratory distress call last week. U.O.A., we found the pt. on the front porch, standing up. She informed us that she had been choking on a piece of candy, but since expelled it. She thanked us for our quick response and said she was fine and didn't require our services. I guess that's the way it goes. Some folks will always abuse the system, while others will not. It's a crap shoot.

We are using the Brady book as our primary text. I also use Gail Walravens Basic arrythmias text, Dale Dublins EKG text, a pharmacology text, numerous downloads for the WWW. I agree with what most have posted. Understanding of Anatomy and physiology is paramount. I had to take a refresher class in A & P since it's been eons since I graduated from college. I'm glad I did. One other thing. If you have the chance to attend Bob Pages 12 lead course, I highly recommend it. The presentation is clear and the class was fun. Enjoy.

^ Sorry. This has been debated to many times for me to continue.

Volunteers perhaps, L & S on POVs are not. If they want to volunteer, than do it from the station, not 10 - 20 miles away as you state. ReD, I feel your pain. I don't chat very often or post much mainly due to limited time for browsing, but for some of the reasons you state also. That being said, what other reason couild you possibly have for want lights on your POV?

Mmmmm, Timmys :love7: