911 non-emergencies a growing problem nationwide

[chbare]

It's taken about 1500 calls in a year and a half for me to figure out that this 911 paramedic stuff AS CURRENTLY DONE is not rocket science. It's great to understand the physiology of what is going on, but most of the time, on a call, what I am required to do is pretty limited. I try and go above and beyond, figuring out what is really going on with the patient vis-a-vis physiologically, socially, economically, psychologically etc. Is any of that necessary? Not really. There are hundreds of eager young things in the pipeline that want to go tube somebody. I am interchangeable with any one of them.

I want to use my brain and knowledge to really make a difference, in a position where what I have to offer is necessary and required. I really like the idea of community based prevention and the opportunity to provide some answers to the situation as it stands. Let fire do the EMS thing - let those of us that want to do more find ways to do it.

You should look at other career options such as nursing, respiratory therapy, or even a midlevel career such as physician assistant where you could be heavily involved in community health. Another option would be to look at a degree in community health, then push for your MPH. However, there are a few PA programs that integrate a MPH degree into the program.

Take care,

chbare.

[VentMedic]

The PAs have taken a leading role nationally for health care reform and have started gearing their programs to provide assistance in a broader area. This also give them the edge to advancing their minimum education levels as initiate many residency programs.

http://www.aapa.org/

The Nurse Practitioners have also been proactive in legislative issues as well as advancing their minimum education standards.

http://www.aanp.org/AANPCMS2

The Public Health Nurses are also making headlines across the country with some of their programs. They also have a strong national association.

http://www.apha.org/membergroups/sections/aphasections/phn/

National Association of Social Workers -

http://www.socialworkers.org/

Respiratory Therapists are petitioning for a variety of Bills that would benefit Medicare patients as well as increasing their own opportunities for those with Bachelors or Masters degrees.

http://www.aarc.org

Physical Therapists have been the leaders of the allied health professions when it comes to health care reform and being models for bringing about change for their patients especially those on Medicare. They also have raised their education impressively.

http://www.apta.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Occupational Therapy is another impressive profession and their national association is gaining strength. Their education minimums also continue to increase.

http://www.aota.org/

Speech Therapy also very impressive with impressive education minimums which has given them new roles and leverage.

http://www.asha.org/advocacy/

Radiology Technologists and their national association have also made a difference in supporting projects that give access to medical imaging and treatment for those who otherwise might not have access to it.

https://www.asrt.org/

Medical Lab Technologists must not be forgotten and their role in point of care testing regulations.

http://www.amt1.com/

http://www.ascp.org/

BTW, these are not unions. In fact most of these professionals would rather not be with a union as it may limit their ability to negotiate for salary and legislation based on education and what they can do to benefit the patient.

Also, if you attend the state and national conferences of these professionals, you will find that the attendance to the sections (political, reimbursement, legislative) that are normally only attract a few EMS providers are generally standing room only. They learned how to get the backing for reimbursement to gain strength to enhance services for their patients and offer their profession many more opportunities.

Public Health care is a very large field which encompasses many different patients. EMS actually only sees a few but that may seem like a lot depending on that area's resources. Some will just complain about a couple of repeat callers but what they don't realize is the many thousands that aren't calling 911 because of various professionals and services available in some cities. There are numerous patients with TB, HIV, AIDS, pallative care needs, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, COPD, paralysis, cancer, advanced technology (ventilators, LVADs) congenital abnormalities and birth defects that require specialized care in the community.

While Wake County may have a good thing, it might not work anywhere else because the support in not there nationally from the members of the EMS profession. Too many doing EMS (FDs, private, country, city, EMT-Bs through Z) have their own agenda and often the focus is not about providing the best patient care.

Edited December 30, 2009 by VentMedic

[Siffaliss]

I'll sum it up in two words: Bloodsucking Lawyers

... and greedy, money-hungry idiots (welfare recipients or not).

It's the same here; so many are so friggin' afraid of litigation it's nowhere near funny. I figure 90% of the general public has absolutely no clue what 911 is really for. Go on youtube and search for 911 calls, whether it's for us or the po-po's the abuse is everywhere.

The granny who got a scratch from her kitten and had no bandaids ... the drive by callers phoning 911 for a bum sleeping on a bench ... the nursing homes who on a Friday want to get rid of a patient who uses a walker and keeps falling phoning 911 INSISTING the person needs the ER despite the patient's pleas not to go to hospital ... I could go on and on, as could nearly anyone here with experience on the road. The BS just won't stop.

Perhaps those from where I am who phone 911 on a regular basis and receive welfare benefits should pay a user fee instead of having 100% coverage for an ambulance. They could be 5 blocks from hospital and too lazy to walk, so they phone 911 ... but funny how they change their tune if we tell them we have to transport to a hospital on the other side of town ... Seniors should be educated also, as unfortunately they are chronic abusers of the system as well. In this province, anyone over the age of 65 has 100% ambulance coverage. Fine for those who TRULY NEED it, but for non-emergencies there should be a user fee. For ANYONE ...

I could rant forever on this one, jeez ...

[CBEMT]

I'm with you, Dust. Believe me. It seems painfully obvious to me, but as long as trial lawyers have Democrats in their back pockets, there will be no such things as tort reform or personal responsibility.

Fixed that for ya.