DwayneEMTP

Point taken, and I stand corrected Clutzy...thanks for that. It sounds as if we got the same flavor from the post as to how the rest of the call went though. A suicide attempt patient, even one that's pretend, will rarely if ever be improved by care that causes screaming and fighting. There are likely times when that's necessary, I've just not seen them in my relatively few encounters. Thanks for your correction, and comments.

I'm curious under what pretext that you took him with you? Unless you had a legal order from the police or your medical control to take him, then you violated his rights and my guess is that you're going to get a beating. Also, unless you clearly demonstrated why you were 'forced' to restrain him, then you could have more issues. And unless you clearly documented and demonstrated that he was altered beyond his ability to give informed consent then any treatments that you provided again violated his rights and severely overstepped your rights as a provider. More trouble still. And no, unless you had very good, well documented reasons for strapping him down, and valid, well documented evidence of his being so significantly altered as to not be able to consent to the interventions that you were forced to provide to save his life, then you can't tie people down and force interventions on aware patients without having a lawyer involved, nor should you be able to. A patient screaming about being claustrophobic doesn't sound terribly altered to me. Nor one with a drug overdose that's able to struggle so hard as to need several people to restrain him. I'm not judging you, but only trying to offer a mirror for the perception that I took from your post. This sounds a bit to me like you showed up, you decided that as he mentioned harm to himself that he had given up all rights to consent, respect, and patient advocacy which then gave you the right to do whatever you wanted to do. In this case it sounds like getting him loaded and to the hospital in the least time possible was the main goal. Again, I have no idea what happened, but I'm afraid your attitude regarding patient advocacy as well as the quality of your documentation is likely to have a significant effect on the outcome of this situation. Good luck.

Good on you girl!! As you go along, jump into some of the threads, especially the scenarios. You'll be shocked by how much better you'll do than the rest of your class... Keep your nose in your books and rock, OK?

I'm fully aware of what a symptom is. That is why I chose that exact word, and rightfully so, despite it not fitting in with whatever lecture you're used to giving. So, in your experience, couples with a passionate, kind, loving, sexually fulfilling relationship with excellent communication sometimes have one or the other mate that simply decide one day, out of the blue, to have an affair? Nonsense. Affairs happen because of damaged relationships. Damaged relationships happen for many reasons. One of the many, and more severe, symptoms of those issues is a mate looking for emotional/sexual fulfillment in another. Thus, an affair is a symptom of a larger issue, not an issue in and of itself. "We are not "thinking" this is a stand alone "issue" as you say to hold up for blame...it's proven." This is EMTCity, a professional forum where it's expected when you claim a proof that you then site it. I will gladly admit to my ignorance and wash your car naked for a week if you can site a respectable scientific study that proves that affairs suddenly, spontaneously erupt in the middle of healthy, happy fulfilling relationships. Affairs don't happen because of the rush of EMS, nor the sharing of an ambulance or quarters with the oposite sex for 24 hrs, they happen from a need(s) not being fulfilled at home. Does this imply fault? Sure, but certainly not purposeful fault. Sometimes people and/or couples have little idea of what they need, or how to communicate those needs if they do. Often, in my experiences with those that have done so, it's the cheater that's not made the effort to resolve the issues before taking an easier route. I've sometimes been shocked at the simple things that Babs has needed to feel fulfilled that were invisible to me before she explained them. And I'm sure the opposite is true. For the record, this coming from a man married 25 years with easy, hideable, access to the oposite sex, though no affairs. Just sayin'...

I would question your qualifications as speakers and councilors based on the above statemement... Affairs are a symptom, not an issue alone. Both choosing to have one, and being unable to overcome the effects of it in a marriage. Not having enough money is a symptom, not being faithful to your partner is a symptom, not being interestesed in sex is a symptom, drinking to much is a symptoms, to consider any of these things a stand alone issue and hold it up for blame is just simple, shallow thinking...

If you are doing this only because you can make more money doing this than other things that you can find then I don't think that avoiding burnout will be likely. I use two things to stay invested, one obvious, but the other maybe not so much. The first is that I avoid negative people, those that don't share my professional/moral/ethical ideas surrounding EMS, and seek out those that do. I don't dislike those that don't share my ideas, I've just gotten old enough to realize that I just simply don't have the energy to be who I'd like to be in EMS while allowing them to suck the positives out of every shift. It's not always easy to do this, but with the internet age I've found that even when I can't find people that I respect to hang out with physically, I can always do so mentally and emotionally online. The other, and this changed everything about me as a paramedic, was realizing that I rarely make big, obvious physical changes in patients, but that I can sometimes make small, emotional, mental changes in them. I am less motivated by the dramatic change in a patient's condition after pushing D50 or Narcan than I am in that moment when I see the shock on a lost, confused face after saying something akin to, "I need you to listen to me for a minute...this is important. Do you know why? Because you're important..." The look that seems to say, "Wait..you can see me? Everyone talks at me, but I'm not sure what to do when people actually see me..." Old people, drug addicts, fake suicides, drunks...If I can see that look on their face, I feel like I've done something important. I probably haven't, but it's what makes me excited, and reminds me to slow down, on every patient. You've got some really cool posts here. I know that you have an amazing spirit, I think that maybe you need to take a new look at each person that enters your ambulance. I think that you'll see that on every single call that you're making a positive impact, or a negative one...Almost never will you be neutral, despite what others try and convince you. If you're not touching people's spirits then maybe you're not the provider that you'd hoped that you'd be...but today is a new day, right? Professional help is always a good idea. I've sought help on many occasions in my life and each time I've left with new tools that made my life better. And, though it makes sense to you now, it's silly to think, "I don't even know where to get started talking to a stranger..." That's why you go to a professional. Would it make sense to you to hear your patients say, "I didn't call an ambulance because I didn't already know what they would do..."? As with most things, starting sucks, but this is exactly the right time to get after it Babe... Good luck

The course that you posted appears to be about the same amount of time as a college course. My guess is that you wouldn't find a ton of difference betwen them. And the money seems to be about the same, at least when compared to what I paid for my EMT, but that's been a long time ago.. Looks like you won't go too far wrong with either decision Brother...

How did it go?? Any City folks there? Pictures? I don't get home until 20/Dec, or I would have loved to have gone again!

Man, great question Island... I've never really thought about it. I'd always assumed that as the current shitheads in the TSA are federal that if you're getting on then you consent. But I've no idea what the legal standing is...

Thoughts for peace and healing from our family in Colorado... Chin up Doc...Love to your misses...

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I wouldn't have participated without his consent... Doc, is there anything that dictates that Docs must perform these tests to fulfill the warant, regardless their personal feelings on the matter?

Man, Babs and I had talked about a couple of girls that were really important to me in my highschool years and Babs found them on FB and sent me their information...And I did the same for her. One, the first love of my life, I was able to visit with a bit before she died, and the other I adore to pieces and we talk all the time. Babs also found an early boyfriend, the 'one that got away', and they still talk too. My feeling is this; If he was important enough that she loved him then, and remembers and remenisces about him now, why would I want to deny that for her? Anyone that can make my girl laugh and remind her how special she is...I'm onboard. Life only, in my experience, visits a finite number of these folk on us...I'm not sure why anyone would want to move on.. Are we all going to move in together and be a big, happy family? I sure hope not. But I trust her to have her boundries, as she does me...So I see no issues.

Those are the people that are going to save our world... Not religion, not philosophers, but people that are able to bring others together just by being silly..

God Squint...just when we thought it was safe to go back in the water... I for one have certainly missed having you here. I'm sorry my friend to hear of your troubles. But, you are pretty old, and that can happen. I mean, if Island feels the same, I see a trend here for dinosaurs... Good to have you back. We need you both, spreading hate and discontent, to keep us kids in line... Welcome back Brother...

Miscusi, I'm pretty sure that the quoted post was tongue in cheek referencing another thread, not in relation to yours. Easy Brother...no one is baiting you...

The best way to handle the spine board is to stand and say, "Based on overwhelming scientific evidence I refuse to cause my patient additional pain and possibly increased morbidity secondary to using this archaic device." And then walk out.... I'm pretty sure that that will go ok.... But be prepared, with many of your EMT B proctors you should be prepared to explain 'overwhelming', 'scientific', 'evidence', 'morbidity', 'secondary', and 'archaic.' (Not a slam on EMTBs in general, but it's been my experience that many 'B' proctors are very uppity, arrogant, and are in that position as a favor, not because they're the best fit.)

I'm kind of with ncnrmedic, if I were you I'd look to the critical fails. I'm curious, did you retest with the same proctor in the afternoon? Why would I look to the critical fails? Because applying the KED isn't really that tough. Your post leads me to believe that you're way smarter than you need to be for the task, (hopefully that sounds like the compliment that it's meant to be) which leads me to believe that you missed something critical, yet simple. One mistake that I see people make is that they try to rush. You have, what? Ten minutes? Fifteen, something like that? You could KED an entire busload of huge fat people in that amount of time. BSI, Scene safe, check PMS, apply, recheck PMS, and here's the secret...honest to goodness. Then start over again! "Is there anything else that you would like to say or do before completing this exercise?" "Yes, I'd just like to verify that I entered the scene wearing proper PPE? I'd like to verify that the scene was safe? I would like to verify that I checked the patients PMS prior to applying the KED?" Any check mark that you missed, must now be checked, if you hit it this time through...See? THIS IS A GAME. STOP TAKING IT SO SERIOUSLY. If you mention something, the proctor has to check that box. If you don't, they can't. You win the game by having them check all of the boxes. It doesn't matter if they like you, if you walk in with your weenie/coochie hanging out, smell bad, burp and fart all the way through..if you say it, you win, if you don't, you lose. Easy peesy... Nail this thing, then go get drunk and naked. Home is probably best for this, but take what you can get. What? Everyone doesn't celebrate ever victory by getting drunk and naked? Why? (What?!?! The mail came today?? Wheeeewwwwwww! Paaaaaarty!!) Sorry, this post is probably light years late...but there you have it...Good luck!

We've got the disposable 'space blankets' here. I've no idea if they're any good for heat, but I tried one and then, showing my lack of morals and ethics, stole a couple of heavy cotton blankets from the supply here... I think that often the weight of the blanket is as/more important than it's insulation value. I think that injured or ill people just feel protected under a heavier blanket. Do you think? I think so anyway...though, as with parachutes, I have no data to back it up... :-)

I think that just the latest ACLS changes will give you some grist for the mill...

Man, you're lucky! We had four normal semesters with two full summer semesters and had to do clinicals (Hospital/ambulance) at the same time, but could only do them during the second half of the program.. Pretty excited to be starting, right? Hammer your books Babe..getting through medic school isn't tough, but try doing it with a 98% or above..then we'll see if you're taking this seriously. I studied 4hrs per night, every single night while going through school. If I could do that after work/school and still sleep, I did, but if I couldn't then I slept during breaks and lunch the next day, etc... Don't cruise..you're way too smart for that. The reason that I meantion that is that if you have a summer of "nothin but clinicals and ride-alongs" then you've wasted your summer... What did you learn during IVs and med admin? What surprised you about each of those? What was most difficult? What didn't you understand? What classes of patients should you most expect to be difficult to start IVs on? Why are they harder than others? What is the most dangerous drug to infiltrate (arguably maybe, but maybe not), why is it the most dangrous? What happens if you should do so on accident?

I've also got no issues running 'hot' to this call. It's an elderly, (meds and other age related frailties), fall, (why did he fall? How did he fall? When did he fall?), with altered mentation, (exhibiting normal mentation? Is his normal mentation un/slightly responsive only? If so, then what does this mean? How does it help?), It's a long way there in city traffic, as well, the odds that he's been examined and/or cared for by anyone that did more than what was necessary to cover their ass is small... Sorry boys and girl, but my expectation based on experience is that I'll get on scene and find a bandage with dried blood, applied many hours before on a semi comatos patient that needed significant help several hours ago and despite the great report from dispatch, there will be no one on duty but the day nurse that 'just got there.' Nothing makes me happier, nor seems more appropriate to me, if we're going to accept the risks of emergent response, than to do so for the elderly that have built this country and yet are so often abused...Much more so than the observed fender bender or bar fight.

Hey Susanna, welcome to the City! We have a lot of really strong Canucks (I actually just Googled that for the first time, after using it for 40 years, and see it defined as "often derogatory in the U.S." Man, If I'd have known that I would have been using it more..) here, some of them even chicks! Others will stumble across this post and be able to give you good adice to add to that already given. Welcome Jorge! Man, only just got here and already posted an educational cartoon?? Brother...That's cool as hell... I look forward to hearing from you both when you have the chance..

Not much worse than losing a child. But psychologists have shown us that one thing that is worse, not just today, but in the long term, is losing them twice in one day. Oh man, that cracked me up...

When do you start your program again? It's a two year?