Trauma Docs with lights and sirens?? What do you think?

[alexeden]

As far as putting Lights and sirens in their personal vehicle, i am against it. However in an ambulance service close to mine, has like an emergency response vehicle (ALS equipped) for the EMS director. I guess the same conditions can be applied to a medical director/physician. First responders in our area cannot even run their hazard lights going to a call, and must follow all rules of the road. Also is running your lights and sirens going to save that much time for a physician, when an ambulance should be on the way, or on scene? If they wind up with an emergency response vehicle, they should have to go through an EVOC course like EMTs do in order to drive.

[speed graphic]

I'm for it.

What are we all here for? Getting patients to definitive care. Can a trauma patient live without a medic? Maybe, maybe not. Will they live without a trauma doctor? NO!

There aren't that many trauma docs. If the doctor thinks that they can improve patient care if they use L&S, so be it.

[AnthonyM83]

The topic is whether physicians should be allowed to respond to the HOSPITAL with lights & sirens, NOT responding to the scene.

[Ridryder 911]

Okay.. let' s all define what a trauma doctor is ?...

I am curiously awaiting the responses we will get... hint their not usually traumatologist.

Again, most do not really understand what true trauma care is... only what they have seen on E.R. or some TLC show..

R/ R 911

[AnthonyM83]

I understand it as being a surgeon who on top of his or her routine elective surgeries is also on some kind of stand-by for emergency trauma surgeries brought into the E.D. They're job is to get the patient stablized long enough for an expert to come in and do repairs in their specialty. This might include surgery or ressucitations or other things along those lines. I suppose the specialist that comes in later once patient is stablized is also considered a trauma surgeon since he's fixing a trauma, but not usually what we think of when we refer to a trauma surgeon.

[zippyRN]

Hey Zippy, On behalf of all the "Bubba" volunteer firefighters(of which I am one), I resent that remark. Much of the US is covered by volunteer fire AND EMS. We are authorized too use emergency equipment beacause we respond from home or work most of the time.

and Uk FRs and retained FFs don't ?

this is one of the crazy dichotomies of the USA - risk averse and sue happy , yet challenge the right of the average citizen to either his firearm or his warning devices on his POV it's a sacred cow ( don't go citign theUS constituion, as its whuge mis representation , especially o nthe right to bear arms - this iswhy theNG is organised on state basis rather than all reserve forces being run from centre )

Rural areas cannot afford the luxury of a paid, full time staff. These "Bubbas" take time from work, family, and other events to provide a needed service to their community because they want to, not for the money or glory.

given many other countries use on call retained FFs without lights and direns on POVs .. the same arguements used against giveing helth professionals engaged in on call working warning devices could be applied to FFs and EMS staff.

can't afford or won't afford?

or can't organise cover over sufficiently large areas to get a cost effective service , the USA has far too many specialised Appliances, because each little settlement has to have one, e what's the point of a 100ft Tl or ALP if there is not building aobut 4 floors in your call area , evne if you have taller buildings how often is the aerial appliance used and when it is used how often is that as a camera/ lights/ nice to have an aerial line of the fire vs for saving life or because effective fire fighting practice requires an aerial appliance to deliver water?

why does hte USA continue to build fire trap houses ?

They may have a "beat up truck" because that's all they can afford. I would put some of their driving skills against some high dollar physician any time.We are not all rich over here.

the answer as with anything is the anaethema for US much of US fire /EMS establishment effective education and training that stands up internationally and with others undertaking the skill or intervention ...

Granted we have a few yahoos, but we take care of them in house. Try disciplining a doctor. They have such a network that it is sometimes impossible to bring one up on any kind of complaint, let alone their driving.

a stereotype , and a perception becasue discipline for professionals doesn't always end up with the first , last and intermediate option being termination of employment ...

[zippyRN]

Okay.. let' s all define what a trauma doctor is ?...

I am curiously awaiting the responses we will get... hint their not usually traumatologist.

a fully qualified ( i.e. board certified for the US folks , in possession of an appropriate CCST in the UK) medicla practitioner who has the appropaite skills knowledge and training , as well as a job description which incluudes them management of trauma patients.

from a UK point of view these docs are usually Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetists with an interest in intensive care, Orthopaedic or general surgery trained.

In some cases , particularly looking at response to scene or the initial management of the patient in the Ed resus room, a higher specialist trainee working within an approrpaitely supervised system is also an approrpaite practitioner

[Ridryder 911]

Hey Zippy .. you must have been tired.. try spell check next time..wow!

[Dustdevil]

don't go citign theUS constituion, as its whuge mis representation , especially o nthe right to bear arms - this iswhy theNG is organised on state basis rather than all reserve forces being run from centre

Grossly incorrect. The functioning National Guard was not established until long after the Constitution was written. To make the NG relevant to the Constitution would require a Constitutional amendment, which has yet to even be suggested.

You disappoint me with such a silly notion. I expect better from you, Zip.

[zippyRN]

Grossly incorrect. The functioning National Guard was not established until long after the Constitution was written. To make the NG relevant to the Constitution would require a Constitutional amendment, which has yet to even be suggested.

You disappoint me with such a silly notion. I expect better from you, Zip.

USAmericans harp on about a constitution right to bear arms

this constitutional right was put there to allow the militia to remain and also enshrine the militia as the last line of defence against an overzealous government

the NG appears to all intenets to for a state ( rathe than federal ) militia, especially as there a reserve units which aren't NG...