speedygodzilla

This sounds like something off a stupid movie, but it just happens be another stupid Kansas resident. Just kidding lol

I have notice this to be the trend with I am sure few exceptions. Does this tend to be the trend with the paramedic test also?

I wasn't going to post this at first, seeing that I am a EMT and I neither start lines or locks. However working in the ER I have seen many patients with lines that in my opinion would of been much better off with a lock. For instance a older gentlemen had fallen possibly due to a low blood glucose with a BP of the 200s over the 120s. When he got to the ER he had at least 300 cc through the line that did not appear to be dripping anymore. However the line stay in him on his way to CT and everything and got tangle up in all the cords and the line was one more cord that got in the way numerous times. I have also had several large pts that have a line on and their clothes and getting them into a gown is much harder with the line attach. I see no benefit in the line. Please inform me of the benefits so that I may better understand why I see so many of them brought into us. We don't even have the equipment to start just a line in the ER, always a lock. I had an idea to fix this problem in the ER. Turn a line into a lock in an instant with something like a sealing head. Just take a look http://www.medical.saint-gobain.com/products_materials/cFlexUltra.asp You could seal it past the port and it could still be used for an IV as needed and would make just as great as a lock as any other lock.

A couple websites come to mind, both of which will cost you nothing. http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_limmer_emerge...2.cw/index.html and http://www.flashcardexchange.com/tag/emt

Cut the fire fat? Please. The first day in fire academy they taught us that firefighting is not all that we do. You know this. FF is a must just as EMS. Putting them together does work, and works where I live and many of the areas around where I live. The only place I hear people complain about the merge is here. I got this from http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/quickstats/index.shtm QuickStats The Overall Fire Picture - 2006 There were 3,245 civilians that lost their lives as the result of fire. There were 16,400 civilian injuries that occurred as the result of fire. There were 106 firefighters killed while on duty. Fire killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined. 81 percent of all civilian fire deaths occurred in residences. 1.6 million fires were reported. Many others went unreported, causing additional injuries and property loss. Direct property loss due to fires was estimated at $11.3 billion. An estimated 31,000 intentionally set structure fires resulted in 305 civilian deaths. Intentionally set structure fires resulted in an estimated $755 million in property damage. You can not be the best in multiple fields? I believe you can and many do in the aspect of fire and EMS.

I just watch too much Health Channel. It looks as if this test may not be of much use in EMS. I would love to see a set of test that we do on a routine which check for cranial nerves and spinal cord function.

I already wikipedia it to see what you guys were talking about.

You are right that many doctors would not know of the test and it would mean nothing to them. What test if any are paramedic and other providers trained to do on scene to determine if there may be a spinal cord issues? I know the easy do you feel this?, can you move your toes or fingers?, etc. Some medical calls that we treat may also be due to a spinal cord issue. I think a head to toe exam should include and quick test on spinal nerve and crainal nerve function when at all possible when you have the time to do a full head to toe exam.

http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l251/got...thThePublic.flv

I was watching Mystery Diagnosis, one of my favorite shows on the Health Channel. The patient was having a wide variety of symptoms (Headache, N/V, blur vision, dizziness, etc) and ended up having a herniated disk. When that was repair the problems got better for awhile but came back even worse than before. The doctor did a head to toe exam and also did a Hoffmann's sign, it show that it was a neurological issue, doctor order a CT with contrast on her head. It showed a tumor protruding on her cranial nerves (thus being what was casing all the odd symptoms). I have never heard of this test before, my question, is this something that gets used in the field? It is a easy and quick spinal cord test and would be an easy thing to perform, so why not make it part of the head to toe exam? Here is a url to wikipedia on the test: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffmann's_sign

Sometimes it seems less like a debate and discussion and more like this is the way it is because that is the way I it. I see many times when others assume about others education and experience and seem to think it is inferior to theirs. I think I am more tired of beating a dead horse per say. Key point:the recognition that the other party has a point is something adults do [over and over]. I work at a stand alone ER and we always just have one doctor (per shift) who makes the decision. Very few of the doctors ever call another doctor for a decision on a patient. Actually the ones which call other doctors more often seem to be the doctor that doesn't know what is going on and is treating for the wrong diagnosis. We have plenty of serious patients walk in and the majority of our doctors never have us call another doctor or let alone do it themselves. I think that in most cases, the well majority, can be handle well by a well educated and experience paramedic and EMT.

Hang in there. Reflect on what you want. I have no real opinion on CISD since I'm still new to the field and am yet to experience one first hand. I am sure it differs from system to system. Like the others said take some time off and see a professional. As rather than being a sign of weakness I see it as a strength because it takes courage to admit when you need help. This is something I could see myself strugling with. Remember while you got into this, and remember all those times when you made a positive difference. Feel free to vent with us, however I recommend seeing a real professional.

I find myself asking why we can't just get along? I believe I have said this before, but of course it comes down to money. However I believe the right medic and EMT-B can make a great team and partners just as a doctor and a nurse, Nurse and CNA, Nurse and RT, cashier and sacker. It isn't called a team for nothing. Even when you have two paramedics that crew together I believe that they swap out the calls and one fills the EMT spot and the other as the Paramedic. In the systems with paramedic only how is the pay and finical condition of the company compare to regular ALS service? Just curious. I would thing that we can't charge the patient more for two paramedics rather than one but we still have to pay both at the paramedic level. How often are two paramedics needed for a patient, and why can this not be filled by responding another medic or supervisor? I understand why we do not have many paramedic only rigs. This may just be a side note but I thought I would throw it out their. Too many Chiefs not enough Indians.

First off to answer to first question, yes go ahead and take the EMT-B class right away. Might as well, I believe with enough effort and persistence you will overcome your ADHD and find a way to focus and understand the material. In my opinion you should not go straight on the Paramedic class. Get an EMT-B job if possible with a local service, in a hospital as an ER Tech, or at least do a ride along here and there. Yes you can learn a lot of vital info from this experience. Many of us need to see something done in order to learn it, as this is learning style. Working as an EMT-B is great and will give you an opportunity to see and learn more, that is if you actively seek answers to the many things that you will not understand as an EMT-B. I am a curious person and ask a lot of questions of the nurses, paramedics, and doctors when I don't understand a patients condition or treatment. I find myself looking up meds and understanding more and more about what is going on. However the EMT-B job or ride along is not nearly as important as actually staying in school. If you are able to afford and have the time continue school full time(at least part time at the least) and take basic college classes from Anatomy/Physiology, Medical Terminology, Chem., Psych, etc before starting Medic class. This education and the experience you get from being an EMT-B will be of much help in my opinion and learning and understanding the material and your patient as you become a paramedic. Good Luck

I really thought this joke was going in another direction.

Sure it can be done. How it is done should be a personal decision that best fit you.

:twisted: Hey now I am one of those "idiots" taking a couple classes a semester. :twisted: 1. With a full time job, house work to do, wedding to help plan, etc. that is all I really want to take or load on myself quite yet. 2. I am young and do not need to be in too big of a hurry to rush on to my paramedic, in my opinion. Life is more than about school. 3. $$$$ 4. My life my choice. Be careful how you categorize idiots.

They run transfers too. I believe this is due to a contract with the city that they are the only allow ambulance service in Kansas City, MO.

I believe that an EMT card should be earn prior to applying for a FD position. It shows that you are willing to earn the appropriate education (not that EMT-B is appropriate, another topic for another thread) along with Fire I, II and Haz Mat. There are not many professions that are willing to hire applicants and pay for them to earn the degree or education they need for the job. Especially when it only takes a semester in school to receive your EMT card. Don't get me wrong I love the fact that many hospitals, FD, ambulance departments, etc. give us a chance to further our career and pay for classes to do that.

If they did this place would be boring as everyone must see things the :twisted: way. I like the EMT city with the many opinions. My opinion on Fire and EMS is clear (putting them together is fine) and many here disagree, making it an interesting place to discuss the topic, although it gets old.

Well I won't tell you to get a fire certificate. I am more than willing to have both, as I am not only interested in fire but also interested in EMS so they fit together well for me. If you don't like the idea of fire and EMS together don't work in a city that uses it.

I would report an obvious terrorist activity, however it seems this program goes across the line. Can we add a poll to this topic? (During the author’s presentation on this subject, to approximately 100 pre-hospital personnel, most were interested in participating in an information collection program. However, about twenty-five attendees stated they would not, under any circumstances, participate in such a program.) 12 This made me wonder about how many of us would be interested in this program :?: I would say NOPE :!:

I am thankful for an overall good life, from family, school, to work. I am thankful for an even more positive look at the future.

Proud to vote: Only hire applicants who are already EMTs.