speedygodzilla

I would say keeping it simple: Treat your patient not the monitor. Of course oxygen, establishing IV, etc, and be prepared if the patient becomes unstable.

Weird, I doubt it has anything to do with the operating system but it may be connected to the internet exploxer. I use firefox because my Internet Exploxer keeps wanting to download a yahoo toolbar and no matter what I click it won't stop popping up. I guess I will uninstall it and try reinstalling it than try the button. Wouldn't be the first time something didn't work on firefox. I just try the button on my smart phone, the Pre (awesome phone) and it worked fine.

Become a paramedic so you don't have to clean it up! Just kidding lol

The View New Posts/Content Button is not working for me it just says "No new content found." This can't be true because I usually only visit every other day (if that). I don't want to go through each folder of the forums. Is this happening to anyone else? Any fix? I did find "Today's Active Content" so I guess this will work. Thanks Busy Paramedic Student

In this case an IO would may warranted but I would still probably provide ABC's load and go obtaining medical control authorization/orders. Giving the the Glucagon on scene should give enough time while loading and all that I can see if it is helping (onset of 5 to 20minutes). Would giving Glucagon to a pt with Liver cancer or liver failure etc cause harm to the pt? Might as well try it and give it time to work until you go to the next step of placing an IO. What do you think?

Lol so I'm not the only one still thinking this!

What happens when the diabetic with the IO in their leg wakes up and wants to refuse transport? I would never go IO on a diabetic low D-stick reading unless they look like they didn't have the stores for Glucagon to convert. Even than I would use medical to the pt's advantage. If the IV doesn't aspirate than look for swelling and an easy drip from the bag. Also pain noted at the site, but if your giving D50 they probably can't tell you about the pain.

It should be up to the attending EMT on rather to go lights and sirens. It should never be base on emergency driving be fun or quicker. It should be base on pt's condition, CVA symptoms, pt's s/s that make you think that the few minutes you save are really worth the extra danger of emergency transport. The theory that it must be an emergency because were here is ridiculous. I only drive 911 calls where I work due to having a paramedic, and we only go emergent for transport probably 5 or less percent of the time. I assume the percentage is expected to go up with BLS and rural service but shouldn't be a drastic change in transport. The emergency is not yours and please don't make it yours. Use your assessment and if you truly are not sure ask medical control if they would like you to up grade after you "paint a picture" for them. Use common sense, and I would think there would be some sort of protocol.

I was recently told by a security guard of how he had just pulled a man from a wreckage. Apparently a semi in front of him tip on its side, and he apparently wasted no time along with others near by to pull the man out. When I asked him why he pulled the man out he stated that there was gasoline and oil everywhere. The patient was alert and conscious. This happen is a big city (Kansas City, MO) so rescue vehicles are not far out. It appears from what little description I got that the man was probably in little chance of further injury or of the gasoline and oil catching on fire or anything. My question to you is what is your opinion on "rescues" made daily by the untrained civilians? It sounds to me that this patient could of been left in the vehicle until rescuers arrive and remove the patient with c-spine precaution in place. When the untrained person removes a patient they would make any spinal injury worse. Now mind you if there is an immediate danger than c-spine precaution is thrown out and the patient is removed quickly. However I'm not sure I would put myself in direct danger in a rescue attempt. At least as a firefighter you have some protective equipment, training, experience, and trained help. The civilian has none of this giving them even a higher potential to become another patient. This is probably a case by case thing where you must personally evaluate the risk and benefits of the current situation.

I got a Littmann Electronic Stethoscope Model 3000 and it has been collecting dust for some time. I have found that the ambient noise reduction to suck especially in the field. Any move from the stethoscope produuces a sound like rubbing a mic. I will be sellimg mine, so if you are still interested let me know.

You would think that an infection to the lining of the brain would cause some kind of headache, stiff neck, are some sort of spinal pain or deficiency! Still people present very different than expected many times.

When I first read the 1st message I immediately thought meningitis, yet was quickly turn in another direction when pt denies photophobia, stiff neck or a headache. The three classic signs of meningitis. Still kind of confused as to if this was the pt's diagnosis? The question was most likely not what is? According to my paramedic book Nancy Caroline's Emergency Care in the Streets. "The classic signs and symptoms of meningitis are the same for both viral and bacterial forms: sudden-onset fever, severe headache, stiff neck, photosensitivity, and a pink rash that becomes purple in color. The patient almost always experiences changes in mental status, ranging from apathy to delirium. Projectile vomiting is common..." How is it most likely meningitis when he seem to have most of the classic signs? I have no picture of the rash however the description in the book does not describe spots. I know patients do not always or even present in a text book manner, but he was the exact opposite. What do you think? PS I use yahoo image search and found some good meningitis rash that do resemble the one posted!

Acute dystonic reaction to a NICE

Replying to myself, funny Talk to my instructor and was cleared up on what the common practice is in our area. That being active cooling, passive rewarming. So for hyperthermic cool them down with ice packs, cool to room temp water fanning it off for convection, and NS bolus. Makes sense I just won't being going crazy with something like a ice cold tub or such any time soon, but who knows what this art will change.

work

Someday there may actually be a "wolf."

I've always understood hypothermia to be a passive treatment in prehospital. Than again I work in a city where a transport of 30 mins is a long time. And I believe that hyperthermia treatment is dependent on pt's condition. The worse condition requiring active treatment in prehospital. ???

The lack of a follow up is one of my least favorite things about my job, as I seldom find out the definitive diagnosis. I though maybe dystonic reaction (maybe a history, or a medication), heat cramps, dehydration as the increase blood sugar would cause increase urine output, as it could be a number of things. What did her skin signs tell you? Was this an outdoor event in the heat? If so, how long has she been there? You know the usual OPQRST questions as they do help with a possible field diagnosis. Either way it sounds like supportive care is all that is needed in prehospital setting. Nate EMT-B EMT-P Student

what

No but you can use the Wii Fit balance thing with EA Interactive.

Oh I use CMS and PMS and just write out soft nontender. lol So many shortcuts.

I figured out C/A/O as conscious alert and orientated but what is S/M/C and S/N/T?

Paton me as I am still learning, but the 2nd ECG of just lead 1 or 2 doesn't look like A-Fib as it is not irregular-irregular? It has about 9 squares between the peek of the QRS in each complex until it changes over to about 11 squares. What am I missing? Thanks Nate EMT-B EMT-P Student

Its there "emergency," don't make it yours. Need I say more Robert? Please keep safe.

If we are blocked and the light is red, we shut down (lights and siren off, secondary lights on so traffic behind may get the idea). This goes for having a dieing pt in the back or on my way to a code. I try to leave room so I can go to whatever lane is clear. "Its there emergency not mine." Where I work it is company policy. This being said make every effort to take oncoming, right lane, or what ever safely and slowly. Nothing annoys me more than seeing emergency vehicles pushing traffic and causing near accidents! The way I understand it, if I push traffic and it causes an accident me and my crew are held liable.