mitchb

1 paper to go on post-grad diploma, then start post-grad cert to gain ALS, then Masters for fun

Stella's Story More about Stella This case is a bit like a transformer - more than meets the eye.

Actually, there is. Stella Awards

Yeah Right

For Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) you will be assessed to see at what level you would fit in. If a Paramedic then you may come in as an Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) but with some on road training to gain familiarity with WFA drugs and ways of doing. See Wellington Free Ambulance For interest clinical guidelines are here Clinical Practice Guidelines A new revision is coming in the next month or so, adding IV Salbutamol (Asthma), Magnesium (Asthma), Ketamine (pain) and Ceftriaxone (Meningococcal Septicaemia). Also, an increasingly high number of staff at WFA have, or are working towards, a Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) Degree Info and as of this year a Post-graduate certificate is required to be an ICP.

There are no Dingos in New Zealand. Dingos eat Australian babies only. Seems they taste better.

Kiwimedic - I don't think the numbers or the calculations are shonky, rather it is a case of what is included (and more importantly, what is left out). If I recall correctly, most of the research coming out of Seattle only includes witnessed, Vf or VT arrests. As we all know, these are generally the most survivable, so if for example traumatic arrests (which are particularly unsurviable) are excluded, all of a sudden the 'save' rates start looking very good. Theoretically, all systems should be the same, as they should all be using the Utstein style for reporting, which is a consensus based system to ensure like is being compared with like. Utstein Style Original Or more recently Newer Utstein Style The impression I get however, based on what happens locally, is that many systems work off raw data that includes all arrests, and the Utstein style is only used at the national or research level. To quote my epidemiology lecturer; "That b*tard is lying to me. How do I know he is lying to me? Because he's a b*tard."

Thanks JPINFV. I see where I went wrong - I was just taught to check for injuries. Who knew you needed a reminder of what to look for.

Obviously I wasted 3 years on my Health Science degree in Paramedicine. Could someone please explain exactly what DCAP-BTLS stands for?

Can I have an O for awesome? - David Tua

Much as I hate to agree with an Australian, I'm with Timmy. Why not just give her some ventolin?

Pie in the left hand, pint in the right hand, alternate lifting to mouth til gone. Only ever do one set of pie, but can do as many sets of pint as barman - I mean trainer - will let me.

I have a 3 year undergraduate degree in Paramedicine. This gets me to a level below what you in America would call Paramedic. As of next Jan our equivilent to Paramedic will require a post grad diploma (another year of study and mentoring). Then the fun stuff begins. We hope to see Paramedic practitioners within 5 years or so. This will hopefully be at Masters level through a med school although this is still to be worked out. Although the degree is not yet mandatory it will happen, and as it's looking good for registration and a scope of practice under the same legislation as Doctors, Nurses etc within the next year or so it is looking good for our profession here in New Zealand. Hopefully with education and registartion will come higher wages and more opportunities outside of working for ambulnace companies. Having said that, the largest provider is against degrees for everyone due to - and wait for it - their relience on volunteers.

Nearby lifeguards on a modelling shoot. Bloody Australians

Bag mask and compressions only smacks of "social CPR" ie. doing it for apperances only. In my opinion, you either follow the full proceedure or you don't start. In this case, I would not start. DNR or not, this seems to me to be a case were CPR is futile.

Comms - Pt has accidently overdosed. It appears she mistook mineral turpintine for cough mixture. Paramedic - Is she still coughing? Comms - Pt has fallen 2 metres onto roof of phone box Paramedic (same one) - Did they use that phone to call?

In October of last year the Land Transport Safety Authority in New Zealand (who regulate on duty hours for those whose jobs involve driving) changed the maximum work period to no more than 5 1/2 hours then a 30 min break with a maximum of 13 hours in a 24 hour period and a 10 hour stand down. The crews in some parts of St. John's central region (ie. Otaki) run a 3x3 roster. This is 7am-6pm day one, 7am-6pm day two, on call 6pm-7am then 6pm-7am day three. This 24 hour block on day three places them well outside the driving regulations. Therefore, there comes a point that they can no longer work. Fines are large and can be handed out to individuals and companies. Additionally the Ambulance Officer (AO) is often single crewed in this area with the nearest backup being upwards of 45minutes away. An increasing problem in some areas is the only help for the AO for lifting or driving is the volunteer fire brigade who, rightly so, get miffed about having to take time off work (unpaid) to perform the work of another service. In Wellington, where the ambulance service is provided by Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA), fire is only used for lifting assistance where the patient is exceptionally large (requiring 4+ people) and for CPR assistance at arrests. With regards to Fire/Ambulance roles, Fire puts out fires, cuts people from things, and does CPR. Very occasionally will they provide a first response. Their training ranges from a 2 day first aid course to a 4 day advanced first aid course. Ambulance services are provided by private, non-profit companies contracted by the Ministry of Health. Training varies, but WFA is in the process of transitioning to a 3 year undergrad degree. Most new staff have it, and many existing staff are working towards it. In general, there is a very good relationship between fire and ambulance, especially when they invite us over for cake and scones.