JPINFV

Just for fun: "Implementing fire based EMS undermines effective fire suppression and emergency medical response by relying on personnel on scene to act in multiple roles -- roles that are often at odds with each other and which cannot be done simultaneously, such as treating a smoke inhalation and attacking a fire. The roles, training and equipment for fire fighters and paramedics are vastly different and distinct and should remain separate. In addition, the consolidation concept breaks up the company unit of a fire department, whereas paramedics generally respond in teams of no more than two. It also frequently means a reduction in paramedic staffing. Attempts to consolidate fire and emergency medical services are traditionally associated with efforts to cut the cost of public safety, but the anticipated benefits are rarely realized and instead result in poor service, increased risk for the community and require additional resources -- thus increasing costs." Anyone want to start emailing the IAFF over this BS?

I'm not too familiar with first responder training, but are they not taught how to monitor vital signs (and the difference between monitor and take, is what, again?), splint, bandage, and apply direct pressure?

" By completing the form, Entrants will automatically be entered into the Quiznos Q–Club marketing database (Entrants may opt–out of the Quiznos Q–Club at any time by visiting the opt-out page located at: www.quiznos.com/offers/Optout.aspx.)" Just visit the opt out page.

So if the car is going 5 MPH you just pull up behind them until they stop and then go around? The simple solution is to not tail gate, and then you wouldn't have to worry about them slamming on their breaks. Just because you are driving emergently doesn't mean you should drive aggressively. Normal defensive driving habits should still apply. Look ahead, not just at the cars in front of you, but a few cars ahead of them to anticipate stops/swerves/other curve balls, and watch your mirrors to know which lanes besides you are free and knowing where you can place the ambulance if you need to make a last second maneuver.

I hope they're willing to go to court because unless the police witnessed it, it would be a rather easy ticket to get out of.

"Shouldn't" and "Is" are two different questions. Yes they should be, but they aren't always.

Everyone is taught to yield to emergency vehicles by merging to the right. Thus, in theory, an emergency vehicle passing on the right is passing right where POVs are being expected to merge to. Of course, as with plenty of other things in EMS, logic and common sense doesn't come into play. Is passing on the right a good practice? No, not really. On the other hand there are situations where passing on the right is safer and faster than the alternative. The only rule that really matters when driving emergently is the rule about driving with due regard.

That's only part of the problem. The other problem is the SNFs and assisted living facility that sends anyone and everyone to the hospital. These are patients that can't or shouldn't be placed in the waiting room based solely off of past medical history. Shape up the nursing homes (maybe a bigger challenge than fixing EMS) and you'll fix a fair amount of ER problems on the sole fact that you're removing some of the patients that are least flexible with placement.

I think there's a difference between two organisms of the same species engaging in sexual reproduction to produce offspring capable of reproduction (e.g. humans begeting humans is different than a horse and donkey begeting a mule). To compare sexual reproduction to virus reproduction (I'd argue that asexual reproduction doesn't apply to viruses either) would be like saying that sperm can only fertilize an egg if they come in contact in a non-human cell. Edit: Just realized a flaw in my statement. Tis fixed now

I've never hit 6 hours, but I've come close to it at PIH. On the other hand, there are a few hospitals in So Cal (Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach) where the longest I've waited was 5 minutes, regardless of how busy they were.

I would argue that viruses are not alive because they lack the ability to independently reproduce as well as grow. They inject their own genetic material (and possibly a few proteins depending on the type of DNA or RNA transmitted) and and another organism for all of the normal functions of life. This is different than, say, a parasite which needs another organism to provide a source of nutrition or a proper environment, but still carry out all of their own cellular functions. If a virus is alive, then it could very well be argued that a prion is alive. If prions are considered alive, then there really isn't much distinction between alive and not alive.

I have nothing really to add to this discussion except that when I read the title just now I had a dyslexic moment that forced to say, "Whoa, wait, what's this thread about?"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't OPALS mostly look at trauma? There's published studies that show a decrease in mortality in patients transported by POV than ambulance.

Diabetics: Physiology and treatment of DKA including covering acid/base physiology Psych: verbal deescalation, proper use of restraints (i.e. not every person on a hold needs leather bracelets) Trauma: Selective Cervical Immobilization including a review of the relevent literature covering spinal immobilization (especially those dealing with efficacy of the procedure and the side effects (pain, skin breakdown, etc).

Ok, I've got my dates set up: Current travel plans: Kirksville, MO (AT Still University) 2/25-3/1 Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Nova-Southeastern University): 3/4-3/7 San Fransisco (Touro-California): 4/28 (subject to change, no travel plans yet)

I'm wondering something. Has any system ever set up an endowment to help provide for long term funding of a part of the operation? While I'm only familiar with the basics, it seems like it would help smooth out the year to year funding issues that public/non-profit agencies have, especially if they can manage to get a large 1 time donation.

600? In Iowa you just need 300 to declare yourself a paramedic.

Yea, for all intents and purposes DO and MD are essentially the same. Both are 4 year education programs with 2 years of sciences and 2 years of clinical rotations. Graduates from both philosophies go to medical residences with DOs having the option of applying to MD residencies. Both have unrestricted medical licenses. I'm actually willing to bet that a large amount of DO patients (especially patients of specialist DOs) don't even know that they're being treated by a DO.

Oh, sorry, I was asking if that agreed with the, "It doesn't matter whether BP readings are odd or even because either are within the range of SIGNIFICANCE on the instrument," not the "Steaming piles of crap" part.

So far all of those are Osteopathic (DO schools) and I'm currently planning on specializing in EM with a fellowship in EMS (of course MS3-MS4 years (clinical rotations) may change that).

You mean like this post I made? http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=102475#102475 Interesting how no one debunked my use of statistics.

Hi everyone, So I'm finally getting a bunch of interview invites for med school and will be traveling the country over the next few months. If anyone wants to get together for lunch or something as I'm traveling, let me know. Current travel plans: Kirksville, MO (AT Still University) 2/25-3/1 Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Nova-Southeastern University): TBD San Fransisco (Touro-California): TBD

Your county EMS agency may require an ambulance driving certificate (which only means you understand the laws regarding driving the ambulance), but it isn't required state wide.

If additional medical monitoring is needed, then the patient meets criteria besides being bed bound. That said, how many patients that need monitoring are coming/going from their private residence? I find it kind of hard to argue that a patient is more unstable right before/after dialysis if the patient is coming from their own residence. I harbor no illusions that a patient is significantly more or less stable after a 5-10 minute ambulance ride than before.

I've seen them a few times down in Southern California. I know that the American Ambulance Association has a position paper against them, but let's be honest here. How many patients are transported each day by ambulance who, in reality, do not need continuous monitoring?