OHMEDIC187

Hey! I was wondering if there are non fire based medic jobs available in that area? I know there is Sun Star ( I believe that is what its called?) Do you know anything about Sun Star? Is it tough to get on with Manatee County? How is the cost of living on a medics salary? I'm a medic with 11 years experience and 20 in ems.

Thank you for your reply. I have googled it quite a bit. I guess I was kinda looking for input from actual people that work in that area.

Hello! I am looking to get some info about non fire based medic jobs on the west coast of Florida. I am looking to move to the Bradenton area but anywhere in that area would be good. Any info would be great. Thank you!!

We were always taught that the goal of prehospital naloxone therapy is to simply reverse respiratory depression in Opioid OD. We were taught that if your patient is awake and talking then DO NOT GIVE NALOXONE. Just Sayin.

Well, Im happy to know I wasnt the only one thinking that. Good strip though! Im glad that with the presentation of this patient, I probably would have just observed him with O2,IV and monitor. Kinda scary though. Ya know! Gotta love cardiology!

Man, I keep going back to those wide complexes being two Salvo runs, a pvc and a couplet on the second strip. Although, that would be too easy. Im probably way off. Im curious what the answer is!!

I guess i'll give it try. At first glance it looks like a sinus rhythm with runs of V-Tach, occasional PVC and I also see a PAC in there. Looks like he is pretty ischemic with those sloped s-t segments. CAD. After looking at it for a while, maybe its just periods of s-t elevation? doubting the v-tach now.

One thing I would like to add is.... Go to these ambulance companies and ask to ride along on your own time. Most places will let you ride with their crews after signing a waiver. That could be another way to get in the door and possibly get hired.

How altered was the patients mental status? Was he awake and disoriented? Was he unresponsive? A BGL of 52 doesnt seem too bad to me. Although, I know different people respond differently to a BGL of 52. More patient information might help understand why he went with the EJ, opposed to just going with glucagon. For me, the EJ is the last resort.

ibemt31, Dwayne makes some very good points. I don't think everyone is jumping down your throat. I think everyone is just trying to understand your reasoning behind giving high flow instead of low flow. Everyone wants to hear more than, you just gave it just because or to err on the side of caution. On one of your posts, you say " I have very little capability to make that determination in the field as a BLS provider." Well, you do have the capabiltity in the field as a BLS provider. The patient presentation and a good patient assessment can tell you if you need high flow or low flow. i.e if your pt has SOB, cyanosis, junky lung sounds with a low spo2 (to name a few) then high flow o2 would be a good thing. Again, we weren't there so maybe you had other reasons for giving high flow. Don't take things personally on these forums. There are some very smart and experienced medical professionals here that can teach you alot. I know I have learned alot from them.

I will never understand why some basics are not allowed to check a BGL! Whats the big deal? (Im sure its been discussed many times) Anyways, I dont know if I would have gone as far as to give the patient a NRB? But, its your patient, its your call. I dont think it is a big deal that you put him on a NRB. The patient went from 200 systolic to 150 systolic to 90 systolic upon arrival at the ER. All within about 7 minutes? That seems strange to me, although it is possible. With an initial BP reading that high, check and double check those BPs in both arms. With the patient presentation, its hard telling? A BGL may help explain some things. The patient is possibly a chronic alcoholic that has been drinking all day and not taking his meds. Thats why we take them to the ER so they can do their fancy little tests on him.

As others have stated, I think we all have gone through the "I.V. slumps." The more practice you get, the better you will be at it. Alot of people have terrible veins and it makes it difficult to obtain access. One thing I will add is, keep in mind that not all veins can fit an 18 gauge. Don't be afraid to use a smaller catheter. It sounds possible that you may be using too large of a catheter at times? When I first started out, I would have some of those problems that you mention. i.e. obtaining a flash but unable to advance. Could be your catheter selections? Just a thought, maybe it'll help you.

I have seen infomercials on t.v. lately, talking about an upcoming flu pandemic. It was saying we have them every so many years and its about that time to happen again. Who knows? A bunch of crap? I guess it could happen?

In my neck of the woods, we had to run 10 als calls with a preceptor (senior medic). Once the preceptor "signed off" on you then you were on your own to save the world. :shock: 95% of the time it is medic/basic on the squads. as others have said, I dont think you will ever be completely comfortable which is a good thing. I always relied on my education and skills and as time went by I gained more confindence. There will always be those pucker and Oh Sh**! moments.