miniemt

Hard to think of what I would have done if the medic had applied O2 before me. I would like to think I would have in a professional manner asked her if she needed me to locate a NRB just in case she could not have found one. Not sure how I would have worded this. I have learned from working on a ALS transport truck that a good basic knows how to help their medic, and how and when to ask questions. I might have asked her to explain to me the reason the pt was on a NC instead of a NRB. But I know me I would have done this in a professional manner. Correcting another EMT be it a Basic or medic in front of a pt or pt family is wrong in my book unless it is a immediate life threat to the pt. Of course I might feel different after I am no longer a rookie. As far as the medic goes, she is nuttier than a fruit cake. I have heard from many other co-workers that she does things like this often and is on thin ice. I did ask my regular partner who is a medic about this and he in return asked the medic I was working with that day. Her answer was you never put a pt who is on blood thinners on high flow O2. But could not explain why. We have voted that she got her medic lic. from a cracker jack box. Mini

As a basic interested in learning more on how to be a better basic and going forward in my education, I have tried to do some ride along with the 911 crews where I work. (For my company all new basics work bls transport trucks to start with, then we move up the ladder, to a als transport truck, after you have shown yourself you get the chance to work on a als 911 truck.) I have moved up the ladder rather quickly in the short time of my employment, from a bls transport to a als transport within 3 months. It usually take 6 months or longer. Okay back on track of what is going on. I have been doing some 3rd party ride-a-longs with my co-workers on a 911 als truck. It is my strong belief that one of the important things about being a good basic is to know what your medic needs for the best possible pt care. We had a call for a stabbing victim. Pt had been stabbed twice in the abdomen, once on the forehead, arm, neck, & leg. Everything was great until we put the pt in the back of the ambulance. I climbed into help the medic which is what I was suppose to be doing. While the medic finished her assessment she told me to put the pt on O2. I grabbed a NRB and placed him on full flow 15 liters. The medic went nuts on me. Told me the pt was on blood thinners and I needed to learn my place. Pt had a SPO2 of 84% before placing him on a NRB. She had me take pt off of the NRB and start him on a NC @ 3 liters. On the NRB pts O2 was at 98%, I was not allowed to find out what the level was on the NC. The other basic working with us the medics usual partner told me when they took the pt into the ED, the 1st question they had was why the pt was on a NC. He told them to ask the medic. I still consider myself a rookie since I have only had my basic a little less than a year. And I know I have allot to learn. So my question is, what if any are the reasons you would not put a pt on a NRB @ 15 liters due to them being on a blood thinner? (There was no history of COPD). I am not saying I am not capable of messing up, but I don't see where I did, if so can you please explain so I know in the future. Mini

Yes, I dream about work all the time. But since I do most of my sleeping at work sitting in the ambulance I guess that can be expected. I also dream that I am at work only to wake up and discover that hey I am. LOL...... Guess that comes from working way to many hours a week just to make a living. On a serious note, yes I recall certain calls in my mind while sleeping. I guess we all do that from time to time. It goes along with the type job we do. Maybe that's why most of us have to be dog tired in order to get decent sleep sometimes. Good post topic. Mini