fireflymedic

I forgot about that one dust ! Yeah - that was a definite darwin award candidate.

Not heard of that, but I am aware they cannot be cremated with them in place as it can cause issues. Same with other stimulator devices. Learn somethin new every day !

I'm guessing from the content she was dealing with ICU psychosis - phenomenon that happens causing hallucinations, temporary irrational behavior, etc. From my reading, the understanding is that occurs due to constant stimulation environment and no distinct sleep/wake cycles. In an ICU it is always daytime, but for some bizarre reason, similar to sundowning in elderly patients, it gets worse at night. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7769 There are also some physical reasons that are non psychiatric that patients can indeed see visions (temporal lobe epilepsy is known to produce religious visions - such as case of Emily Rose). Dehydration, hypoxia (the general explanation for the visions people see when dying), etc. Very interesting though - thanks for posting !

Very sad. Perhaps there needs to be some improvement to the current warning system to ensure this doesn't happen again? I'm not familiar enough with trains or the railroad industry to understand how these deaths/inuries can happen, but I should think there was an attitude of comfort and guard was let down. No different from what we do in EMS. You get comfortable with the every day and that's when accidents happen. Prayers for their families and hope for comfort for them.

It is very possible that with him being in Poland that he could have been Jewish, which depending upon the person and sect (I guess that's the best way to describe the individual variations?). Judaism prefers people to be buried within 24 hours and do not want to be embalmed. It is very likely that they had no plans to embalm him. No I'm not saying that just because he's polish I automatically assume that he's jewish, but there is a great chance of it. Muslims are the same wanting to be buried within 24 hours. Hindu people as well do not believe in embalming (though all of the above permit it for homage back to their home area Israel, Middle East, etc as international body transport laws require it for public health reasons). There are not rules within the US requiring it (unless body is to be shipped internationally), but it is certainly preferred. That's about the best explanation I can give for the situation.

I didn't start this thread to get into a major debate, I started it to show the "complaints" we had with trauma weren't just isolated to the one show. To be fair, if we're going to fuss, need to carry it across the board. I think I'm gonna stick my head back in my shell now !

From my understanding this is along the same lines as the cooling blanket idea http://www.emsresponder.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=11860&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+emsresponderrss/top_ems_news+(EMSResponder.com:+Top+EMS+News)&utm_content=Google+Reader

Hey gal - Well wishes and prayers being sent your way for healing, protection, and comfort. Hang in there and vent whenever you need to !

I'm not against cross training - there are areas where it works to their advantage. There are a few areas in ohio that I'm aware of that the cops also function as paramedics. Many of the troopers here are also cross trained with all being trained to a minimum of a first responder (certified) as well as all of fire being basic so they can perform their own rehab and an ambulance is no longer needed to stand by. Many have their own "fire buggy" which responds solely to the fire scenes for treatment. However - here's where the lines get blurred - when you are on a scene and both duties are required which one takes priority? If you are both a trooper and paramedic you don't treat the patient or have to leave the patient- that's abandonment, you don't keep the scene safe and you potentially get yourself killed. Needs to be a clear line as to when you are what. I'm not advocating against it, but I am playing devil's advocate. As to the SVU episode - I was referencing the fact it was overly dramatic. Most of the time, I'm actually quite the fan of the show as it's well written. Yes I understand real SVU cops probably hate it and sit and perform much of the same griping we did with "trauma", but it is well written and probably much of the reason it's lasted so long. I really just didn't see the justification for having her perform the skills when truthfully they could have. It might not have made such an interesting story line, but all well. Richard - I do stand corrected on the flight part - thank you. I was halfway listening while doing something else and heard the helicopter discussion and then looked up to see them delivering her baby and was like WTF ? Ironically though, I've not seen them drawing blood - every time I've seen the episode they have them at a clinic or the hospital getting it done. Perhaps I've just missed those episodes? Fair enough - just thought it rather absurd at the moment and fired something off. I'll return to putting my foot in my mouth and shut up now.

Just goes to show people really can and do buy and sell anything on ebay.

Still wondering what they were thinking, but was watching an episode and they had one of the cops climb in completely unprotected into a smashed up car and the EMT who is in the window right next to her and tosses her the IV bag and says here I'll walk you through it. Then uses a police helicopter to fly the woman magically to the hospital who is in active labor - wow I guess it's rubbing off on NBC.

The last time I recerted my registry, they had a comment on there to send copies of all paperwork. I ended up sending them an obscene amount of material as I had a ridiculous amount of CEU's as well during that two year period. It's standard now to send copies of all the certificates and/or training hours. I've always maintained and processed my own, then just had the signatures signed off on. But then again, there is that fantastic little thing called random audits too and your number may have just come up, but I have a feeling they just neglected to send in the copies.

Sounds cool - but better watch out for some - they "gotta get more crap for my belt !"

Okay, I could see making him give it away, taking it to the humane society, etc - but killing it with a hammer? little extreme isn't it ?

Now that's a bad day at work....

Glad to hear it - thanks for the update !

It was under my understanding that in most departments suspension lasted until the investigation was complete (has been the procedure with anywhere I've worked). Perhaps I've missed something, but until it's been determined that they were not in the wrong and fully cleared then I back completely that they should not be returning to work.

I'm at a loss for words - I don't even know what to say here....

Agreed - with the fact they made the comment former paramedics I am wondering if they are looking to just feed off the local bad press lately on EMS and compound it making us look bad. If you aren't going to say they were employed from such and such a time and the drug habit was not related, then well, it has no bearing on your reporting. If someone burns their house down trying to deep fry a turkey are they going to say "former McDonalds employee" - I doubt it...

Wow ! I guess someone slept through nursing school and then somehow miraculously managed to pass the test because anybody with any sense should have seen that it said INSULIN not H1N1 VACCINE - 5 R's anybody? Somebody's just happily giving shots and not even thinking . FAIL !

Phil, I know that wasn't directed at me, however I was referencing utilizing the EAP's (employee assistance plans) that permit someone to come to their employer and say I have a drug problem, I need to get it resolved so I can function appropriately without fear of being fired or facing disciplinary action. I am fairly certain this is nationwide in the US - I know it is statewide here. The employer is required to assist the person in finding treatment and not penalizing them. However, if they are busted in a drug test (without this reporting or after they state they are okay and cleared to return to duty) then there is no obligation on the part of the employer. I think this is a great thing for employees to utilize and assist them in getting and staying clean. Alot of this came in part from a rash of disciplinary actions that were referred to the state from employees coming on duty under the influence of drugs, attempting to use from sharps box, OR not wasting (and using for themselves). I can only help this does something to help the profession in this respect.