Ridryder 911

Actually that is not correct. Part of EMS is to be emotional stable and be able to handle stressful events and crisis without compromises. The same is true even with physical disabilities ( not to bring up that damn hearing thing again). Yes, his employer has the right to enforce that he/she should demonstrate emotional stability. If there has been reported complaints of such, the employer has to take action. Most employers would require an evaluation by a licensed physician or psychologist. After, being released then that person may return to work. Especially PTSD, in this stressful environment. I am also wondering if your employer was aware of your PTSD, prior to employment?.. I am sure, like all other EMS and health care agencies there is a clause that states " is there any ailments or injuries that would prohibit employee from performing duties ?" .. if you did not inform them of such, they may not be held responsible as well. Just because a working member becomes ill (albeit physical or emotional) does not exclude them from employee discipline. The posts describe "The unsafe situation I was put/left in resulted in a minor injury, but it did require documenting at that point I was being told that the injury was my fault and I was 'fatigued' to cause it" so there was a situation. We are only hearing one side of the story... if employees and administration feels the need to be concern, then I would wonder. I am not against the poster.. I wish him luck. I would personally suggest to get a release statement from your counselor for proof of ability to return to work and then seek employment else where ASAP before slander to reputation occurs. Again, I wish you the best of luck, and the hope of healthy life. R/r 911

It all depends on what you really want to do. Even though you might have your B.S. most nursing schools still require you to apply and you will still have at least one to two years to finish. P.A. programs are graduate degree programs and usually go all year, some require intense clinical hours (usually one year didactic and one year clinical phase) and some do not allow one to work very many hours while in the program. Both of these programs are difficult to get in, and one should apply early. Both of these programs are geared or designed for those to work in a hospital setting. I can not stress the point that these programs are NOT SIMILAR to any EMS programs. So many assume that other health care programs are designed alike EMT programs and they are not. Nor will being an EMT will aid you in advancing in other health career, in fact it be the opposite. There are those in the health industry the proclaim EMS is really is not in the health care industry rather in public service ( although I totally disagree). Remember emergency nursing is just one fragment of nursing, in fact most nurses prefer not to enter ER arena as well critical care is NOT the same as ER or EMS. Physicians associate, usually performs procedures, assessments that the physician does not have the time or wants to perform. Yes, there are some that works in rural areas in the ER, or fast track clinic side in metro areas. Again, this is under the scope and practices of the physician they are assigned to. Each state has limits and allowable that they can perform to. For as initials, credentials, they are over 100 acronyms of EMT levels.. unfortunately. Most of these are the levels between basic and paramedic, with a false or impression of the ability to provide Paramedic level care. Other initials may include board certifications, specialty license. The CCEMT/P or upcoming CCP title is designed for those that have attended additional critical care courses and the program is for those that routinely performs more advanced procedures and cares for critically injured patients or transports from ICU/CCU etc to other facilities. It is highly recommended that you have at least 5 years Paramedic experience before attending. I highly suggest to seek an EMS academic counselor, if you are truly interested in furthering your EMS education. Many of your courses may transfer, (some may not) and with education background, you will find that it is definitely different from your other experiences. Good luck in your education, R/r 911

I hope they enclose a spelling class as well....lol R/r 911

I had a family member yell and scream at me.. when I apparently did not meet their pace or demands.. " Do you know what you are doing ?!.. For God's sake.. the Dr. told us she has Psuedoseizures!... Don't you realize what those are?.. Give her some Benadryl.. before she dies!... I calmly informed yes, I do know what those are.. I suggest you should to. :wink: He was not to happy and presumed I was an idiot. I wanted to tell him, but my partner would not let me...lol R/r 911

1) Obese and large patients are subjected by the size of the room or house. The larger the patient the smaller the room and hallway. 2) All patients living in trailer houses have to be > 300 pounds and there can not be < 10 cement blocks in height with stability for a porch. 3) Projection of vomit/emesis is calculated by doubling the square feet distance between stretcher and you. Please double if wearing white. 4) Lower G. I. Bleeds occurs more often in temperature >95 degrees and A/C unit is not fully functioning, upper G.I. bleeds please refer to number 3. 5) When searching for address or location it is easy to find by looking for the crappiest, run down house. Add 2 points if it has a ramp, and a 1 more if it is steel re-enforced. Bonus if there is a "No Smoking, Oxygen in use " placard on the front door. 6) Why do motorist forget which way left is, when pulling over? 7) Inability to have air transport increases chance of having major trauma patients on the next MVC.

Actually there is several emergency physicians addressing this issue calling " EMS should not be hearses and transporting dead bodies with L/S" ... hopefully, we can accommodate and increase education levels, so more decision can be made like this. R/r 911

Hmm... would you like to cite your resources? 1. Need to review current ECC standards 2. Same as above, rapid defib is no longer emphasized, like it was. Please referred to new 2005 AHA guidelines 3. Again, where did you come with up with number ... or did you pull that out of your arse?.. By the way it is defibrillation, and again current standards recommend one to two minutes of CPR before defibrillation. I highly suggest you read the current literature and standards, and take a new BLS for Healthcare Provider course, for AED as well. Many things have changed since February. Be safe, R/r 911

I think exposure to any medicine is good however, a few hours in the lab, I personally do not believe is beneficial. Learning to draw which in order etc., can be written down and as described most services no longer perform lab draws. Exposure to micro, blood bank etc. would be more beneficial after completion of a microbiology course, learning gram staining, the wonder of e-coli, and truly learning cardiac marker (CKMB, CPK, Tro-I, HbNP, etc) as well BUN, Creatnine, and H & H levels and what they represent physiological is and should be introduced in advanced level as part of the standard of education. I required Intermediate level to learn these for ICU rotation and they always described it was beneficial for later in Paramedic programs. Too many medics do not understand the necessity of knowing and having a full knowledge of general lab values. Any medic that transports from any hospital or clinic area, should be very familiar. So many patients as well are immuno compromised or have resistant disorders, which are very nasty and medics need to be more aware of such etiology and cases. As Dr. Bledsoe describes, it is one of the fundamentals of emergency medicine.

Better yet, hire some of us old "medics".. we won't mind observing the flight attendants, and we promise to only drink the little drinks...LOL R/r 911

All right another acronym for EMT.. I guess the reporter assumed iit s like a nursing assistant to a RN.....hmm not a bad idea or ring to it though..LOL Maybe that is what we should start calling them... R/r 911

Electrolyte (not just isolated to K+, but Na+, Ca+ etc..) imbalances can cause life threatening arrhythmias which then the AICD would defibrillate. R/r 911

TMI.....TMI.... vivid images :shock: ...I bet you are careful where they place the sharps !

It all depends on the situation, if it is a code from hell.. no. I will try although I can't promise it though. Most of the time, there is no trash for me to pick up. I carry a saline lock and a couple of Jelco's and a small roll of tape in my side pocket. If I start a line inside the house, which is becoming less often. Unless, the patient is a very ill most of my procedures now are performed in the back of the unit, and even then I prefer the trash to be picked up. R/r 911

Ever wonder why those with an education never argue against having it?. It is not the attitudes that will be the demise, it is rather most are trained (and poorly) not educated. Read journals often? Read any EMS medical research lately?.. Over all what is being described?.. It is that basics should do more?.. hmmm no. Is it that poor performance from lack of education is increasing poor outcome and treatments? .... awww... yeah! Can one honestly and truthfully argue against education ? Albeit, it is only a 2 - 3 yr program (yes, it should be a minimum of 4 years). Patients in an emergency situation(s) deserve to have at least someone with that level of education to perform a detailed assessment, with interpretation of those findings and deliver treatment. How can one logically argue against such? Please, explain and inform us how this is to be true? R/r 911

I agree it is ugly,(although, I always though orange & white was too) but if it would keep me from getting hit ... I am all for it. There appears to be more & more medics killed at the scene now. R/r 911

Okay the main point would be there are bad, fair and even good systems. Some that are better than others. Size, and location is irrelevant... what some lack other may provide ..vice versa. The main point is to provide the best patient care possible and treat employees with respect and provide safe, and effective equipment and comparable wages and benefits. R/r 911

What one needs to remember, the gloves is really for the patients protection as much as it is for you... would you rather have a Dentist with hand washing and gloves insert his fingers in your mouth or one you hoped washed his hands ? Again, one does not need to have "bare" skin to be humanistic and portray compassion. R/r 911

Ditto.. sounds like a true basic emerged. R/r 911

I agree, one should use common sense. I can assure you not every patient is stripped in ER or even a trauma center as well, the author needs to work and learn in that environment, before making anal statements. Yes, you should be sure that there is no injuries, yes, expose patients in major trauma, but for the 30 year old that twisted his ankle being bare butt naked is not appropriate. The same as medical calls, grandma is complaining of diarrhea you are going to strip her down as well?...The ER Doc , going to check your hemorrhoids for that lacerated finger ?.. I think not. This is why I went to school, this is why I spent thousand of hours of clinical rotations in obtaining experience of being able to determining how to perform an assessment and which should be deferred and those that should be addressed. Be safe, R/r 911

Whenever your "protocols" are > 200 pages, then there is problems. I agree it is better than calling in, but I have not seen that type of system in several years, with true Paramedics. Although, they have some aggressiveness, a lot of it is hype.. again, I am not trying to degrade them, I even trained some of its upper management personnel. But, like all systems it has flaws as well and those are large, and again it is obvious it definitely has some advantages to obtain work experience. But what occurs if a patient has a NTG drip prior or any other medication drip other than Lido or Dopamine? What is the pay in comparison to other progressive EMS ? Not just fire services, even in within the state, and EMSA has a union, I believe you would find it surprising. As well, what is the average length of stay of medics in their system. over-all education level, and the ability to advance within that system. One needs to ask why a company continuously advertise nationally, and always have openings. These questions should be asked for anyone seeking employment in any EMS. I don't know where you get only 3 -4 patients a day for flight medic/nurses.... I wished. Even though some of the flights in this area are up to 2-4 hrs in length for one mission. It is true, it gets harder to sit in a rig for 12 hours, and rotate to stand-by locations. True as well, Steve Williamson has made sure that equipment has been upgraded and that is where a lot of the money goes, but many are not aware both cities help subsidize EMSA and the medics are employed by Paramedics Plus. With the recent correction of the dispatch, and some political battles, service times are getting better. Hopefully, they will improve their pay, some of their mind-set, and increased ability to progress within the system. Improved public relations at both East and West, it is obvious that OKC has more difficulties and always have for some reason, but it is still EMSA. Over-all they do have some quality metro type medics. R/r 911

Let's not get too carried away... EMSA is good for those that are starting out. But, let's look at retention and the pay as well, and cookbook protocols. Even Sacra will agree. Again, they have some definite good points, but let's not paint it like a Utopia... it is far from it. That is why their always hunting for medics.....there is a reason. Between the 2 I agree EMSA East is better... R/r 911

Very good points Asysin2leads, glad to see you back. I agree, any volunteer agency that is only there for the pleasures of those that serve, not the necessity of the community or location. As well add any EMS that has no "drive" to provide competent care and professional treatment to their employees. R/r 911

I went into speciality exploring, while I remained in my troop. The Explorer Post, as a speciality had just really begin, most were Sea Posts, Scuba, Law Enforcement and a few Firefighting etc.. At that time there were no "EMS" posts, the closest thing was called Emergency Services. My hospital had a very active explorer posts and one of the first co-ed :wink: .. We went to Dallas to see an "open heart" surgery, which in those days was a very big deal, since most cardiac surgeries were only experimental, as well we observed an autopsy. We had classes and guest speakers, we were allowed to observe and assist in each department to make rotations to explore where we might want to pursue. This even included making rounds with physicians, in which they were very active in this posts as well. We won several local district, national awards for services, and programs we presented. I was a member from age 14 to about 17 or so. After I became a medic, I then started an EMS post. This post was VERY active as well. We required all members to go through 1'st responder course and then EMT if age appropriate. Many were not directly interested in EMS, but; we understood that and developed a more "medical" approach. I later became the Post Advisor and recruited several Professor's from local Universities to assist. We continuously stressed the importance of higher education and attempted to assist in getting grants & information for posts members. Out of the 50 members or so... 8 became physicians, 2 became P.A.'s, and about 4 went on and worked as Paramedics for several years, and many others went into nursing or other health careers. Over-all I considered it a success. I still try to keep in contact with a few... and this has been about 25+ years ago. With HIPPA and many other variables, I would imagine it is more difficult to allow members to actively participate. But yes, Posts can and do work... when operated and directed right. I wish you luck.. R/r 911

Their not dirty when they are cartoons and are anime' ...lol The person below me, remembers Dixie or Alcomedic that started this thread..... R/r 911

I agree of course with soap and water (with at least a 15-30 second scrub otherwise it is useless), but having access is not always possible. Please, the hand gels just give a false security... the gloves should be for the patient benefits .. not just ours. Ever cultured the steering wheel or arm rest of an EMS rig?.. I have, that is why I suggested gloves.. please wear them if I am the patient... I rather not have the "extras"... :wink: R/r 911