AnthonyM83

Gotcha. Honestly, I think latching onto an already established PHYSICIAN organization whether (anyone that has influence) is really the key...unless we suddenly all get organized... ------------ Looking at the websites again it seems NAEMS (like you said) is more involved in prehospital care, specifically, with a large portion of their membership consisting of medical directors. They also linked to AEMS http://www.advocatesforems.org/ . . . I've never heard of that one. Anyone know if they're actually been active? And since we're on the topic...does NAEMT do anything?

Anyone part of the NAEMS? I recently learned there are a number of non-physicians/students part of it (26% apparently). I wonder if that might be a good vehicle for increasing education and professional standards and EMS advocacy. http://www.naemsp.org

I started looking last quarter. Most true A&P classes (with lab and everything) seem to be two or three parters, setup on a specific schedule. For example Part A in Fall and Part B in Spring...Must taken in order (though I'm seeing it'd be possible not to). The ones that do have shorter classes (usually over a dozen sections) have been packed since Fall (and continuing students tend to get priority in class registration dates). I'm going to look at some other schools, but the ones I've heard have the better reps seem to be filled up or have classes I need to take in order.

Don't worry too much. My EMT school was crap in many ways. I make up for it by reading on my own and reading through EMTCity and taking additional courses. Hopefully paramedic school can help me wipe the slate clean.

Agreed. It's interesting how the only part of your story that produced an emotional reaction (other than interest in what they did in the ED), was when the wife came in. Families grieving is the only part I have trouble with...everything else doesn't really do anything for me (other than maybe connecting with non-emergent patients on a social/sympathetic level)...if the patient is unresponsive or critical, it all becomes very mechanical for me.

I bought this (rather expensive for a thin soft cover) book to help prepare for medic school. I THINK this might be the worst most annoying EMS text I've ever read (only at chapter 3, right now). What makes it worse is that it has such strong potential! It seems to be written as an intro to A&P, yet the explanations are so incomplete. For example, when discussing sarcomeres it just shows a picture and a corresponding diagram with I bands and Z lines. That's it. No explanation in the text or caption. If I hadn't taken previous biology courses, I would be clueless. Also, often (especially in the skeletal section), it will throw out a bunch of bolded terms and technically be correct in telling you their definition, but it doesn't explain what it's purpose is. Student is forced to just memorize it without actually knowing it. At one point it starts talking about "the olecranon"...I'm trying to figure out WTF an olecranon is....flip back pages and find a quick mention "The proximal portion of the ulna consists of the hooked olecranon process and the coronoid process"...then moves on. THAT'S IT. No picture. Of course, I had no idea what it was when mentioned later. What also bothers me about this (and the AAOS EMT book) is that it's written so technically. It often has long and complex sentences structures and busts out words like "volitional", yet it can't get in-depth enough to explain actin and myosin. If you had a smart person read the book without a prior class and asked them about actin and myosin they would not sound like a well-educated healthcare professional. Freshman bio in high school explained it better. Something I really like are these pathophysiology boxes that relate what you're reading to a disease, field assessments, treatments, procedures in the ER (though sometimes unclear about which are ER and which are medic field procedures...like when it mentions that rectal tone must be checked). I'm trying to find an A&P class, but no one seems to be offering one until next fall and they're usually two quarter classes...which would delay medic school almost a year. I'm a biology major, but we only had "Vertebrate Physiology" without in-depth anatomy.

But apparently well before the PIT maneuver.

His dispatch called in to the trooper's dispatch to let them know.

Quite a few...I usually find out a few days later. Didn't realize how many people watch the morning news....I honestly never do, so wouldn't know otherwise unless it was an obvious incident with camera in your face (I really feel like shin kicking some of those camera men sometimes...)

I admit, I'll rubber neck if it's an obviously BAD car accident. If no one's on-scene, I'll slow enough to make sure no one's laid out on the road or slumped over the wheel, otherwise there's not much I can do. If EMS is already on scene, it would take a LOT to get me to stop...I'm talking MCI with obvious critical patients. It's confusing have plain-clothes people on-scene and usually there's not much you can do. Just take comfort that you'd be able to respond to that if needed and that you can ask about the accident your next day at work. That the EMS crews have stuff handled and you're off-duty.

Thank you! That was very helpful. Do you happen to know how Key West works? Is FD first responder who hands patient over to AMR medics or is AMR used mainly as a transport company using FD medics?

Just wondering if anyone was from that area or could tell me who runs the local EMS? Particularly Key West, but also the rest of the county. Is it Fire and privates? Who transports? Who provides ALS and BLS responses? Any idea of wages and job opportunities (I heard FL is a bit saturated with EMTs right now).

Why? I've found that most of what you do on the street can be very much like the textbook. Main difference is fluidity in order of steps. Sometimes a bit of short-cutting here and there.

How long was your transport time? Since she's similar age to you, I see how you could connect. That's a young age to die at, especially if she had no other debilitating medical hx. I tend not to get attached to patients, because so many of them are non-emergent complaints that it causes a bit of continual burnout or very critical where there's no time to connect. But I have had a few closer to my age that I identified with in age and type of person I would have as a friend where I thought about them after the call. I haven't had one die, but I could see that happening to me if they did....

Right, but instead of a look of confusion and a technical discussion, there will be slightly more relevant questions that more easily allows the conversation to progress. I'd rather get questions like "Where do you work?" Which has led to discussion on poorer areas of Los Angeles, gangs, underprivileged populations, historical founding of LA, immigration, the state of healthcare, abuse of 911 system, their dad who's a cop. Yeah, I usually have to bust out a stock answer about the "worst call", but eh. But like I said, I usually just say "EMT. It's a level below paramedic. You have to work as a year before applying to paramedic schools." And at least it shows you're going to move up. If it's a hot girl, I'm a trauma surgeon JK (Though the standard accepted reply around here at parties seems to be "Firefighter"...the FF's in attendance seem to be cool with it and will back you up...haven't pulled that one, though)

People don't know what an Emergency Medical Technician is either, though! It just ends up sounding pompous giving a long title for a not-so-prestigious job. I'll say "ambulance guy" if it gets the point across...I've tried pretty much everything.

I'd go ahead and finish the chest pain protocol, simply because I'm not qualified to rule out cardiac etiology in the field (or so I've been told so). But like ccmedic, I was thinking costochondritis. Does the neck swelling seem like swollen lymph nodes or really goiter type swelling? Ask her and husband if it's normal. If not, how long has it been that way. Any pain? Temperature problems? Feeling ill? Skin signs normal, right?

Examine the mouth for the abscess. Blurry Vision? Tinnitus? Headache? Equal Grips? To be thorough. Is she ambulatory? Is she otherwise functional? Any recent strenuous physical activity? Coughing fits? Smoker? Immobile/in-bed for longer than usual?

Exactly. If you're saying it in a situation where it would affect your status, you say what you really are, an EMT. If you're in a situation where you need to COMMUNICATE and let someone know you're medical help and you think saying "paramedic" will best communicate that, use that. I've said "Fire Department!" while knocking on a doors. I have no interest in being seen as a FF, but it's communicating. Then there's always the case of talking to the hot drunk girl at the party . . .

Lung sounds? BP? JVD? Pedal Edema? Recent injuries and physical strains? Does pain increase on respiration? O2 by NC, try to get a sat over 95%. Does it help? 162 ASA. IV w/ Hep-lock

Well, guess we have to start doing our assessment through the husband (though at some point, I would interview here separate from the husband just to make sure everything is kosher). Start the workup: Pulse? BP? O2 Sat, 12-lead Through husband: OPQRST? Hx of same? SOB? N/V? Feeling sick? Recent stress? Abd/Back pain? (palpate) Compliance with meds? Specific meds? Allergies?

Richard, good try, but I don't know if that'll work for me. Too cocky. Especially, if there's anyone in public safety or the medical field possibly present...but even if not. It's hard to EXPLAIN the job or job title in a sentence that works well in social situations. But then there's follow-up questions and I go into that whole explanation which bores myself to death, unless I really care about this person and want to explain what I do in detail. Good to read on the message board, but I that sounds so stiff/nerdy/technical in conversation (same goes for the rest of the replies in the post. I mean I guess it might be good in an actual cocktail party with other professionals...but what about at random house parties or when meeting new friends on the go through your social circle...or even your hair stylist (I have the convo everytime I go in...new person each time). Anyone have other ways of replying/explaining?

Actually here are two books I found: Field Training Officer: Tips and Techniques by Bruce Nepon and EMS Field Traning Officer 2nd Edition by Robert G. Nixon Both over $30, though. Argh. Out of my minimum wage price range.

The only google hit get on that is a link for this same thread http://www.google.com/search?q=Field+Train...lient=firefox-a

Doesn't Sunnyvale do EMS? I don't they have Fire Ambulances, but don't do they have FFMedics?