Ridryder 911

A lot of it is simple economics.. Less FTE, and more $$ for medics. Our service is considering, 12 hr instead of 24 due to the increase number of calls as well. However; this would be a major reduction in pay for medics. As this time there paid for the full 24 hr shift & are guaranteed overtime and we only work 10 shifts a month, which allows most work a part time job as well. Management would have to place a full crew for 12 hr shift as well and dip into the budget. Thus decrease benefits, and pay... Yes, we would get more an hour, but less yearly. Personally, I have worked both and 12 hr.. shifts. 12 hr shifts seems like you just get off duty and time to go back on duty again.. then, too exhausted to work part time. Both shifts has benefits and disadvantages. Be safe, R/r 911

Never have used or seen that, looks very similar to combi-tube device. Although all esophageal occluded devices will be similar in design. We too are looking for a "back-up"airway device. The LMA has a great reputation of easy insertion; however as well as a reputation of dislodging itself quite easily. R/r 911

Nawwww... she's on the phone ! :wink: R/r 911

How ironic, on Oprah show today... they displayed that EMT's is one of the lowest paid professions (with others) and how most live in poverty range... one, that was recognized was $8.60 hr... I have seen many Paramedics that get their " food stamps" or vouchers, because they cannot make it with 2 or 3 children. Yes, they work part time even. My service is fortunate that does not occur, but I do know of many that is does. R/r 911

Who knows maybe it will be like "Ambulance Girl" .. a piss poor written novel about a poorly middle age burned out chef-critic, house wife that needs to "find herself". Like, that movie, it too will circle the drain as well. In my past nearly 30 years only a few really represented EMS in a truthful life. Yes, EMS is really pretty boring with a few excitable events. It would not be hard to produce a television with some positive outcome role models, and normalcy. Really, do we have to continue to have ex-druggies, people that are unable to read, emotional distraught personalities ? Yes, like ALL other professions we have our dregs.. but, they usually do not last long. I do we believe we should start protesting against the show before release. Like the nursing profession, that gets tired of protrayls of "bimbo-prostitute, hand maiden roles. They start protesting prior to release after they hear of poor image and have cause many to be "canned" before release. We should follow route and do the same. Hopefully, we can ask JEMS, EMS, magazines, NAEMT. NAMESE organizations to pick up on our concern and distaste of even being portrayed as with demeaning attitudes to our profession. E-mail the network with your concern and anger Maybe with enough outcry they will shelf it again. If the will not finding out sponsors of the show and producing enough letters to them, might cause dismay enough to create a concern. Damn, right I am tired of being portrayed as a low class citizen, that could not "make-it" and carry enough emotional baggage to make everyone feel normal. Let's stop it before it starts! R/r 911

Then yet again.. I have to wonder about some pregnancies on how conception ever occurred.. of course there the old saying "wherever there is a will there is a way" and alcohol makes things look better... R/r 911

When I left a hospital as a Nursing ER Director, there was a lot of bad blood between me and the medical director. Although, I resigned on my own will (Corporation wanted to discharge the M.D.), I felt that professionally that I had learned from the man & sent a thank-you card with a personal note of thanks, and continuation of good luck. Ironically, he was later discharged and was placed into an EMS Medical Control position and now routinely calls me as a consultant.. like Dust described "Never burn your bridges" the road in EMS is short and circles, most folks know the faces along the way. R/r 911

I guess we both have the same opinion.. the way some people perceive journalist. Like Mary Tyler More show, with Ted Baxter, Lou Grant..(Hey, it won numerous awards as well) or Will Ferell in anchorman (it's all the same anyway right ? ) Hey, the public is smart enough to figure that out right ? Yeah, the public is so smart Tylenol has to place national ads not to take an overdose or McDonald's with lids.. Coffee is HOT !... Sorry, you are preaching to the wrong group of people... Based on the general public intelligence, if breathing was not an autonomic reflex.. most people would be dead by now! R/R 911

Naw !!! . He would had more patches.... and a thousand LED lights on his car !... :wink: Just joking !! R/r 911

Seems like a Witch hunt... Not very precise for a consortium outline. For example, Dallas ( and some surrounding areas), Iowa City .. to test airway devices, and ventilators??? WTF ? Again, never any comparison to those in ED's. C'mon gang your supposed to be scientist, this information would never fly pass the IRB. Give me specifics, who is paying for this , why is this being performed, and what do you plan to do with the data ?... Here is a link with some basic terms of studies & volunteers, when looking at any study... ask yourself, did the journal or study have each of these ? http://www.washington.edu/healthresearch/definitions.html Folks, we have to become educated to understand studies. Sometimes, just because it is performed does not mean they are accurate, or they really mean anything ! Sometimes they are.. & sometimes there not. Sometimes it is a group of physicians that have to have something published to keep tenure at teaching faculty at a medical school. Yes, it happens a lot, don't get published..loose a job.. be very weary of any studies, and don't take at face value. Seems a very dispersed & to vague on "what they are going to be doing".. how are they, going to get patients permission ?..which type of study, blind.. number of patients and to whom ?.. I know it is in early phase, but we need to be very cautious of any new studies... let's look on those recently, that was obviously flawed. Be wise.. R/r 911

Oh great !.. a medical school drop out.. that decided to be an EMT. Funny, how I have seen more M.D.'s fail basic EMT than I have seen med school drop outs. Of course he has to have some form of an addiction.. why else would he drop out of medical school ? What TNT can't afford real patches ?.... Dyna-Med special, with the medic wearing a T-shirt and a skanky jacket?... Let hope this get the axe soon !... at least Johnny & Roy brought some professionalism and over drama rescues, but at least they weren't full of old baggage. R/R 911

Congrats.. & good luck ! R/r 911

Good posts Marty and I agree with you on most, but recently we are not even getting the ones who wants even lights & sirens !... at least those you can mold and teach as you described. The past 5 -7 years, I have seen a trend of even ones that even don't want to even respond on emergencies as much as routine B.S. Your right, write them up.. now, unfortunately.. nothing happens. Most management don't give a damn as long the PCR goes through for payment..... and hey! why are you raising so much trouble..? The old .. your not my boss, supervisor, etc.. then when you inform the supv... it's the old .. please deal with it.. you r experienced enough to know how to. Why, because they too are bogged down with B.S. I do egress.. complaining never helps. Education.. nice thought, but reality sets in, who is going to pay $$$$. You can't get them to do their job 2 weeks after their final class... educate them for what ?.. You can't force education, only motivate people to learn. But, these folks are not motivated on anything. Again, EMS managers know that with the job market flooded, they can pick & choose. The old saying "you pay for what you get" ... I think we got shortchanged, even if it was minimum wage. We have a stack of applications .. wanting to work to get experience for free, but when you hire them, there is no desire. I hate to say this, yeah it always had slackers like you & Dust described, but usually you were able to "weed them out", it really has became bad, & now it is more of a norm.... R/r 911

No wonder my back is tired ! R/R 911

Mine had advanced assessment as well, and research development. The main emphasis in research was patient outcome based research, both medical and nursing or both intertwined. Yes, there was some management such as critical thinking skills in the work place, human resource material, pratical issues, etc. The University has an outstanding business & H.R. degree programs, so the professors from that area taught instead of nursing professors. The main emphasis on my B.S. was to prepare for graduate school. Scholastically, research, professionalism, and having thorough understanding of education. Mine was a RN to BSN, and you had to have at least 5 years clinical experience prior to admission. The average mean of my class was 12 years clinical experience. No there was not even 1 care plan, we went into depth in treatment regimes. Most of us had been in management level at one time or another, so they did not try to re-invent, but emphasized new material and managing, reimbursement issues, & regulations in the health care industry. Be safe, R/R 911

Okay, I know it's an old post, but since we have new members and some of this discussion lately has eluded to this question(s) . Be interesting on someof the new mwmbers in-put. R/R 911

Mean you don't have ECMO ?.. damn heat exchangers...lol Ring the bell.. order up .. watch for the vultures and cancel Christmas...! R/r 911

Actually it should be to see if the turbinates are patent, which you can easily perform by having the patient place a finger on the nostril & occluding it & then breathing through it. Then repeat the other side Usually, I don't worry about it unless hx. of fxr nose, major septum defect or large amount of nasal secretions (boogers) ... :wink: R/R 911

Might want ot check previous posts.. this was posted as well other sites, a couple of days ago.. good site though. R./ R 911

I wished ER patients understood the birds & the bee's... apparently when they have 6 or 7 kids, they must not, Actually, you would be very surprised how ignorant most people are of their bodies and especially reproductive systems. That is why I have learned to ask point blank very directive questions.. "could you be pregnant ?.. 90% of females say NO !.. Then, I will ask " Do you have sex ?.. uh.. yes.. are you on birth control or have tubal, hyst etc ? .. uh...no ? Then you could be pregnant .. Oh, I hope not ! Guess what a lot of the come back with a + HCG, pregnancy . the classic line I love " Oh, yeah, I forgot about that one time ... yadda , yadda ! ...... ](*,) Gotta love them ! R/R 911

You gals, have WAY too much time .... LOL R/.R 911

Wow.. some Doc's place patients on Flagyl. Real common for amebic dysentery. It does have some A/E, and without some lab's checking for fecal luekocytes, etc.. it might be hard. Some physicians do go ahead with the anitbotic route wihout the full work-up, because of the exposure... Get her re-hydrated and she needs a work-up. Good luck, R/r 911

Just joking, I never make anyone do anything I would not be willing to do as well... however; there is a few times, when I consider options when cathing an obese patient or removing an fecal impaction.... just for those that are considering those big buck RN salaries...... :wink: R/r 911

Actually, that is what I got paramedics that works in ER to do it for me :wink: R/R 911

In my EMS both are required to sign for the run report. You have a primary and secondar medic, no matter what the level you are. Yes, whomever was the primary does the paperwork, of additonal coments can be made. R/R 911