Arrest protocols

[whit72]

1. I am interested to know what arrest protocols are around the country, for the emt and paramedic

2. How you feel about them, and what you think should be changed.

[Ridryder 911]

Cardiac Arrest :

Mine is simple.

Follow current AHA/ECC current published guidelines.

*

If patient has been found in cardiopulmonary arrest, with a documented time > 15 minutes and confirmation of aystole in multiple leads; resuscitation measures may be withheld at this time. Special consideration and conditions of cold water drowning, electrocution does not apply to these situations.

One can contact medical control for field termination if patient is in aystole (confirmed in multiple leads) and has not responded after second round of ACLS pharmacological agents.

** As with all protocols, Based upn the discretion of the Paramedic. Notify Medical Control as deemed necessary.

Changes... no, cardiac arrest is one of the simplest calls to work. The only change we are considering is increasing the Vasopressin dosages. Our local Heart Hospital has been doing clinical research on response to Vasopressin on a higher dose.

R/r 911

[Dustdevil]

Just to clarify what Rid says, when he says to follow "current published guidelines," he is not saying to just mindlessly follow the flow charts. The published guidelines include all of the information in the ECC/ACLS book, not just the flow charts. Everything you do should be the result of an intelligent thought process, utilising your knowledge of the patient and his condition, and your education and experience to conclude the best course of action for that particular situation. Anybody not capable of doing that without a "protocol" or flow chart has no business on an ambulance, or in any other professional medical setting.

And to answer the question, the last couple of places I have worked, that is exactly what our "protocols" were.

[Ridryder 911]

Thanks Dust.. exactly. That is why there is an asterik on each protocol : Upon discretion of the Paramedic. This allow the Paramedic variables to treat the patient accordingly.

R/r 911

[JPINFV]

BLS: Use AED, get paramedics (only transport IF you are both closer to the hospital AND have enough people to transport. A 2 EMT crew does not meet that definition).

Paramedics: Consult with base hospital MD for possible termination of resuscitation.

[Punisher]

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.ph...23&start=30

[Ace844]

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.ph...23&start=30

Thanks, Steve

[Punisher]

No problem Ace.

[Ace844]

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.ph...23&start=30

You should also read these, just to start. There about 10 pages worth of posts relating to this topic... DO A SEARCH!!!!

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4340

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4047

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4129

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4234

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4213

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4159

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3832

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3995

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3868

http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3767

out here,

ACE844