akflightmedic

Asys... I and about 20 other medics here in Osamaland recently recerted our National Registry by using eeii.org. They are totally legit business and National Reg accepted them with no issue. It is NOT an online refresher. You download the program and answer all the questions. It is a home study refresher. You have to answer all the questions in complete sentences, there are no shortcuts or they will kick it back. For the record, it took me about 4 days to fully complete in between work shifts and everything. I invested many hours into this refresher and yes I did actually learn a few things in my searches and remembered some things I had forgotten. I also had to use multiple resources, books, online, etc to complete the questions. I have no problem with a program like this for an experienced medic, and since it is a refresher, experience is what you should already have when doing something like this. It sure beat the hell out of me taking a week out of my life to sit in a classroom to accomplish what I was able to do on my own. Plus, the price was VERY, VERY affordable. It was around 125 bucks when I did it. Sure beats missing work, gas and food costs for a weeks worth of classroom meetings. When you complete the program, you mail it back to the school and they review it/grade it. They then issue you a certificate stating you completed 48 hours of paramedic refresher material. NR gave none of us any grief over the certificate. For the record, eeii is NOT what is wrong with EMS in Florida, what is wrong with EMS is FL is what is wrong with EMS all over the nation. Fire rescue mergers left and right for starters, followed by low education standards, and people wanting the patch only to better their chances for getting a FF job or to boost their pay by 6K prior to retiring. THAT is what is wrong with EMS in FL. These business are fulfilling a need, that is the purpose of owning a business. I do not fault them as they are in it for money. If we raise the standards on a state and then national level, these businesses will comply or be out of business. To fix problems, go to the root of it, not one of the branches.

Great article from JEMS. I know we have discussed this before, however the story makes a great correlation between what we call our ride and the level of professionalism it displays to the general public. I know medicccjh will never change as the people in his neck of the woods seem hell bent on calling the ambulance a bus, but if we can change other's habits...who knows. http://www.jems.com/news_and_articles/colu..._Not_a_Bus.html

I edited Alaska, as the defib tech went to the wayside many years ago; no longer exists. Did not know how you would like the ETT addressed (emergency trauma tech), as that title is a non certified, non licensed position. No one keeps track of your status as you are not registered with anyone. It is a 40 hour first responder course that enables one to do nothing other than any normal person would do in their home. Basically it means nothing to have it, and it will eventually go to the wayside as well. The MICP is licensed by the medical board, whereas the other 3 levels are certified by the State EMS board. Just FYI, feel free to edit as fit. Otherwise, great job, looks good! Edit: Just looked at the AK site and they still have it (defib tech) listed on their training site. Funny stuff, real up to date info there...lol.

First, yes scaramedic does indeed look like his avatar. I know as I had breakfast with him a couple years ago and it was damn scary. Second, the medic vs basic has been alive and well in several of the states I worked in...plus, revelation time, I was a basic who said many of the same things UNTIL I went to paramedic school and learned how wrong I was. Fortunately for me, I was only a basic about 3 months before going to medic school. I learned how wrong I was on so many different things. Third, Wendy...will you marry me? Your posts, they are so stimulating, so well thought out. Emotional orgasm (braingasm) almost every time I read one; and then the fact that you can kick and thump...spank me you "rabbity" creature!

This is going to become very interesting, very quick. Anyways, here are two bits of food for thought. 1. Were you taught in EMT school that oxygen is a drug? 2. Oxygen is a prescribed drug as well, meaning a doctor has to write a prescription for it. Caveat to the above is unless your service is providing it as they expect you to carry it and use it while responding to calls. There are many risks and dangers associated with carrying oxygen, especially in your vehicle and storage of such in your home. Who is responsible for filling it? Where is your quality control when you use it on someone and they say you caused them further harm? Is it secure in your vehicle? Is it secure in your home? Anyways, those were just the starters as I am too tired to go any further right now. There also have been many threads addressing this same issue if you want to go read up on some other opinions. Click on the search button and type in oxygen cylinders and see what that yields. I am sure Spenac or someone will narrow it down for you more later.

Congrats! You will do fine. We know it has not been easy for you considering everything else and you have done a great job. Now, do you want to answer Dust's question or do I need to go ahead and say it? We all really want to know...

Arrrggggg, these kinds of things are so very frustrating. http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...ONE10/803150497 This is in a city with a population of 70K. Read the comment at the bottom.

Don't they have something similar to Workman's Comp over there? To sue cause the light went out is ridiculous, what if there were no lights to start with? Then whose fault would it be?

Damn this slow connection. He beat me to it. I was gonna say, why yes I have seen it all, a few days ago when the story broke actually...LOL He posted the link, so we will lock this one.

Pssst! Over here...it is called the Queen's English or British Spelling. It is perfectly legal and acceptable. PSA over with, we now return you to the debate...

Eleanor is baaacckkk.... Oh noooo

Yes he administered/took it 237 times, but it was for his sick wife and he did NOT know it was wrong. Pretty amazing I think. Blanco EMS director says drugs were for ailing wife - Texas The director of the nonprofit Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corps said at a public meeting in February that he brought his wife the potent narcotic painkiller Fentanyl from the corps' inventory about 237 times over 15 months for her migraine headaches. At the meeting of ambulance corps members and Blanco County residents last month, corps Director Mark McMain said he didn't believe that he had done anything wrong, said David Hotz, a member of the ambulance corps' board of directors who is serving as the corps' spokesman. Each time they administer controlled substances to patients, the corps' emergency medical workers must fill out a form, and McMain did so, Hotz said. "He didn't understand that what he was doing was wrong," Hotz said of McMain's actions. "He does now." McMain will meet with state officials on Wednesday in an informal conference on his license suspension. McMain's lawyer, Nelson Skinner of San Antonio, declined to comment on the case. Court and state records don't say how much of the drug McMain is accused of taking. EMS services usually purchase Fentanyl in 150 microgram vials, which cost about $2 each. McMain, 47, faces a criminal investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and an emergency suspension of his paramedic license by the Texas Department of State Health Services. State officials declined to say whether McMain had been or would be asked to take a drug test, citing the ongoing investigation. The state health department also intends to revoke the license of the Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corps, which provides emergency medical services to the southern half of Blanco County, and the license of corps paramedic Evelyn "Suzy" Armstead, who is accused of co-signing the narcotic control forms McMain filled out. Administering narcotics without direction from a doctor violates state and federal laws. And an EMS medical director, the doctor who oversees how emergency workers administer drugs and care for patients, could be expected to question a paramedic giving a family member drugs nearly every other day without direction, said Dr. Steven Ellerbe, a member of the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council. "I believe that if one of my medics was making a routine response (to a relative's home and administering narcotics), I would have thought that that would have flagged my attention," Ellerbe said. Ellerbe, who serves as medical director for four emergency medical services, said he reviews each service's log of controlled substance usage when he reorders narcotics, or he reviews each "run report" during which a controlled substance is used. Dr. Larry Miller, the medical director for the Blanco ambulance service and four other emergency medical services, did not return a call seeking comment Monday. But Miller told the Blanco County News that the state health department asked him to audit the corps' morphine and Fentanyl supplies in January. Though Miller's audit accounted for all the corps' Fentanyl, Hotz said McMain did not bill his wife for the Fentanyl. According to the DEA, the percentage of state and local drug cases involving Fentanyl have increased significantly over the past seven years, rising from 37 in 2001 to 1,412 cases in 2008. Thomas Hinojosa, assistant special agent in charge for the DEA's San Antonio office, declined to comment on the McMain investigation but said that people involved in situations where "larger quantities of drugs are involved" can be charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute; penalties range from 180 days to life in jail.

Major pile up in Abu Dhabi as a result of heavy fog and their driving techniques. Dust and I can both attest to the crazy driving in this country. 60 cars, many of them on fire, fatalities and 350 injured!! The link has 24 pictures as well showing the extent of the damage. http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and...t/10196597.html

Well, since HIPAA is an American law, I do not see how you could violate it in Canada. Did you guys adopt a similar law?? However, two unrelated pts is not a violation of HIPAA here in the US. Its been done many, many times out of necessity. Hell I had 5 patients once during an MCI. Talk about a chicken minus its head... HIPAA applies mostly to the rules of billing practices. It means we will not share information with outside agencies. Now as far as privacy concerns, yes two patients is an issue, but in an emergency situation I believe it may sometimes be overlooked as you have to do what you can do with what you have on hand. Notice I said emergency situations. To routinely transport interfacility patients together is bad juju in my book. I strongly disagree with that practice. Is the service billing two transports when only one actually took place? Reeks of fraud my friend. It is rude and disrespectful to the patient as they deserve complete privacy when it is available. They also deserve the one on one care while in transit. I think this is a silly idea and just plain wrong.

One of my part time gigs a few years ago was for a very similar service. A doctor opened a private practice that is very upscale. His patients are all in the wealthy class, upper level professional types. His entire office is elaborately decorated, fine furniture, art and a very expensive espresso/cappuccino machine in the waiting room. Anyways, he works the office with one assistant and one secretary. He has portable xray, capability of some labs, etc. He also has special contracts with outside labs or treatment centers that guarantee his patients will be priority. I like the service he provides as it is one on one, never anyone waiting for any length of time, etc. Anyways, I gave the back story just so I could highlight his other service. He has 5 doctors on staff for home visits only. Orlando being the tourist mecca it is, especially with a lot of international travelers, he decided to provide a house call service to those that request it. Basically, visitors call our office and either an RN or a Paramedic screen the call. If there is the slightest hint of a emergency, they are referred to 911 after their hotel and room number is confirmed. We also followed up in those situations to ensure they got the care they needed. After getting all their symptoms we then got their payment information. We took credit cards or cash. They usually have health insurance or travel insurance as well and it would be up to them to file for reimbursement when they get home. If it was a company that paid upfront, we would process the claim and get an approval number. Once that info was obtained, we would dispatch the doctors who were required to be in the city limits when on call. Do not care what they were doing, they just had to be in the area. Response time was always an hour or less. Then they would go do what they needed to, usually antibiotics, or simple medicines or procedures. Then they call in their final billing and call is over. The patients loved it as a doc comes to them and they avoid sitting in ER for the greater part of the day while on vacation. They can also call us 24/7 for further information or advice. It was a great system and I love the idea. In the time I worked for them, there were only a handful of calls that we had to reroute to 911 as most people know when it is an emergency to call that first. They utilized the doc service for the sniffles, colds, swimmers ear, minor cellulitis, and otitis media. Some people forgot their meds at home and needed us to do a physical and write a new prescription so they could get their meds at the pharmacy. Anyways, this business has been serving for almost 15 years now. I am surprised it has not become more popular.

Its a cost issue. And for the record, the patient compartment in that picture is generous. None of the ones I rode in were ever that large! We also had patient compartments that went behind the snow machine as well

Ok, I found this article very amusing. I will bold what I feel are some key statements and then state my worthless opinion at the end. Mall Asked to Chip in for Ambulance Service By May Hickey - March 08, 2008 Lanesborough News LANESBOROUGH - The Selectmen are hoping the Berkshire Mall will kick in funding for the town's Ambulance Service. The board learned at Monday's meeting that a quarter of the calls so far this year have been to the mall. The board has been concerned about lack of coverage in town, especially after the closure of American Medical Response, a private ambulance service, last year. For the past 10 years, the town has maintained an Ambulance Fund with revenue from use of the ambulance and from donations. The monies are used to purchase equipment and supplies for the ambulance service. The town-owned ambulance is usually replaced every three to five years. Replacement at this time yields the best trade-in value, say officials. The ambulance service has been staffed by volunteer emergency medical technicians. There were two backup ambulance companies: AMR and County Ambulance. But last year AMR went out of business. Also, in the past few years, it has been increasingly difficult to find volunteers for weekday staffing, say ambulance officials. As a result, the availability of ambulance service in Lanesborough has been compromised. To ease the situation, the Selectmen moved $30,000 from the fund to establish an account to hire daytime, weekday EMTs to staff the ambulance. State regulations require that two certified EMTs staff the ambulance. Fire Chief Charles Durfee has been tracking ambulance calls since Jan. 1. So far there have been 16 calls; four from the mall. The purpose of tracking is to help establish a budget for the ambulance service. The cost of one ambulance call is about $400. Payment comes from insurance, Medicare and other sources, but some users ignore billings and pay nothing. The board has asked the Berkshire Mall to make a contribution since about 25 percent of ambulance calls originate there. Mall manager Joseph Scelsi attended the meeting but did not make any commitment on behalf of the mall management. Durfee recommended that the board contact state Rep. Denis E. Guyer, D-Dalton, to discuss if some accommodation could be made to ease the requirement of having two EMTs for every ambulance call. The Selectmen said they want to be certain that ambulance service is always available to Lanesborough residents. They are considering all options to ensure service. .............. ............... ............. Wow!!! They say a quarter, 25% of the calls are coming from the mall!! Holy crap! That is a lot of calls. Oh wait a minute, it seems since January 1st, there have only been 16 calls total!!!!! 4 of which came from the mall. I found this very laughable that they want money from a business which happened to generate 4 of their 16 calls this year. Give me a freaking break! I also imagine this to be a very small mall based on the fact we are talking a township, all volunteer service and only 16 calls in the area since Jan 1. Anyways, if you notice one of the solutions proposed byt eh fire chief is to contact the state rep to see if they can avoid sending 2 EMT BASICS on every call. Instead of providing a paid service, they want to be able to lessen it by sending only an EMT and driver. Wow, what a freaking great idea!! Also, they are trading in their ambulance every 3-5 years. I do not understand this. Yes, in a busier service this makes since in order to maximize resale profit, but in a service this slow, what are they thinking? I am sure there is a mechanic on payroll for the town or one in town who would volunteer his services or work for a reduced fee to keep this precious resource up and running...right? Seriously, there is no reason they could not keep a unit 10 years with the low call volume they are running, unless there are a lot of extra activities not mentioned. You know ,parade after parade, county fair, and joyriding about town probably takes its toll I guess.

A 19-year-old medic from Texas will become the first woman in Afghanistan and only the second female soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest medal for valor. Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown saved the lives of fellow soldiers after a roadside bomb tore through a convoy of Humvees in the eastern Paktia province in April 2007, the military said. After the explosion, which wounded five soldiers in her unit, Brown ran through insurgent gunfire and used her body to shield wounded comrades as mortars fell less than 100 yards away, the military said. "I did not really think about anything except for getting the guys to a safer location and getting them taken care of and getting them out of there," Brown told The Associated Press on Saturday at a U.S. base in the eastern province of Khost. Brown, of Lake Jackson, Texas, is scheduled to receive the Silver Star later this month. She was part of a four-vehicle convoy patrolling near Jani Kheil in the eastern province of Paktia on April 25, 2007, when a bomb struck one of the Humvees. "We stopped the convoy. I opened up my door and grabbed my aid bag," Brown said. She started running toward the burning vehicle as insurgents opened fire. All five wounded soldiers had scrambled out. "I assessed the patients to see how bad they were. We tried to move them to a safer location because we were still receiving incoming fire," Brown said. Pentagon policy prohibits women from serving in front-line combat roles — in the infantry, armor or artillery, for example. But the nature of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, with no real front lines, has seen women soldiers take part in close-quarters combat more than previous conflicts. Four Army nurses in World War II were the first women to receive the Silver Star, though three nurses serving in World War I were awarded the medal posthumously last year, according to the Army's Web site. Brown, of the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, said ammunition going off inside the burning Humvee was sending shrapnel in all directions. She said they were sitting in a dangerous spot. "So we dragged them for 100 or 200 meters, got them away from the Humvee a little bit," she said. "I was in a kind of a robot-mode, did not think about much but getting the guys taken care of." For Brown, who knew all five wounded soldiers, it became a race to get them all to a safer location. Eventually, they moved the wounded some 500 yards away and treated them on site before putting them on a helicopter for evacuation. "I did not really have time to be scared," Brown said. "Running back to the vehicle, I was nervous (since) I did not know how badly the guys were injured. That was scary." The military said Brown's "bravery, unselfish actions and medical aid rendered under fire saved the lives of her comrades and represents the finest traditions of heroism in combat." Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, of Nashville, Tenn., received the Silver Star in 2005 for gallantry during an insurgent ambush on a convoy in Iraq. Two men from her unit, the 617th Military Police Company of Richmond, Ky., also received the Silver Star for their roles in the same action. Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Noting diabetic on the DL, I could see some benefit to that. Not thrilled about it, but it could be useful for the officer. As far as noting allergies or anything else, no I see no use for it. First, if they are unresponsive from allergies, I have bigger fish to fry than checking their DL so I may know what is going on. Duh, an assessment will answer all I need to know and it is really all irrelevant anyways if they have already gone unresponsive. I have therapies to initiate. If they are not unresponsive, then they can tell me or if they are in the swelling shut phase I think I may figure it out by their nice bluish tint and panicked eyes. I really do not see any benefit to listing other conditions on the license and I have not even touched on the big brother aspect of it all. The information has to be in a database and in this case it would be the DMV. Who has access to those files and do I want them to? I think we should stick to the good old fashioned necklace or bracelet medical alert tag. And this topic got me to thinking, in all my years, not once have I used the information from a bracelet or chain to change my treatment therapy. As I said, an assessment and proper timely use of your diagnostic tools will usually tell you the brunt of what you need to do to treat the emergency.

Although there is no provincial requirement for them to be in shape, the Chief would like to implement this policy. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labr...ance-shape.html

Although I am not a fan of NASCAR, absolutely despise it, I would enjoy a job like this if one were created. I think it is a neat concept and the article makes some very valid points regarding different states having different rules, so there are always inconsistencies regarding level of care available and knowledge/education of the provider on scene. Here is the link for the full story: http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/RG/030708.html

Great discussions! I love the TPS reference. I just watched that episode two nights ago, otherwise I would not have had a clue what the hell you were talking about! I do not like the titles: Technician-Basic Technician-Medic Correction is: Technician Basic Clinician Medic Huge difference as technicians follow manuals, rules, guidelines without much latitude for independent thought or critical thinking. Not saying they do not posses these skills, I am saying there is no need for them to use them as it is irrelevant to the treatment they need to provide.

I found this an interesting article. The department is requiring him to attend medic school yet he faints every time he does any type of injection. My question is how does he even function as an EMT? Isn't he exposed to these sightings on a regular basis, or is it only when he does it that it causes the syncopal episode? Another possibility is these are pseudo syncopies in order to get out of doing it since he is being forced to become a medic. Who knows??? http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/mar/06/0306_faint/

Sorry mate, it is NOT that simple as all of the extenuating circumstances are relevant to the question posed; therefore, they must be discussed.

I did not know there were different kinds.... Anyways, we are not talking about just any old mental illness. We are talking specifically of the bipolarism and if you had read any of my posts you would know I am intimately familiar with it which is why I can say without a doubt, that EMS is NOT for people with bipolar diagnosis. And I think the context of my posts show that I am not heartless at all, exactly the opposite as I am encouraging what is best for the patient. Sorry your dreams have to be canceled, but that is life. And no where did I say automatically fire them, I believe my very first post said to reassign her, the patient. If reassignment is not possible, then yes termination is in order. If you are going to try and use my words against me, please quote properly and get them right. I did say one could be terminated if they LIED on a pre employment screen as that is a different issue entirely. And yes, I could still fire someone knowing that they may kill themselves afterwards. I have already seen it here where I am. Private contractors come over here, not all of them are mercs by the way, best job they have ever had or ever will (pay wise), they get terminated and then they try to kill themselves. We all know that is merely a cry for help. Now do you think we should of kept this employee over here cause they tried to kill themselves after being terminated. Should we say nevermind, you got your job back, just kidding? Just please promise not to kill yourself or anyone else for that matter please. Get a grip, this is life, this is the real world. Its not all hugs and kisses because you are passionate about what you do.