letmesleep

Agree with Ruff as well, but I'm not sure how neat the patch is.....never seen it on any uniform around here! can't be all that great if peeps aren't willing to display the damn thing!

All good points, and some even made me stop and ask myself "why do I care?" In the scenario I mentioned, Pt "1" was cleared on the scene, and Pt "2" did get the LBB with a precautionary line (blah, blah), due to his complaint of lower back pain. Both Pt's were DC'd later that day I would also say that this is a new thing for our Med Control (the trauma alerts), that begun earlier this year, and maybe it's got to do with being a creature of habit (my weakness). Could be a pride thing, let me explain..........Years ago we had multiple smaller agencies abusing the helicopters, The powers that be (med con) came in and took out their ability to fly based solely on MOI. (foot note: I agree that this is preposterous, MOI should only be a piece of the puzzle.) Now I am seeing this same ER calling these "alerts" based only on MOI for political reasons. Can I save the world? NOPE! And I know this, but it seems as if this might be a contradiction to me and is an unnecessary charge for our Pts. Ruff, you made a good argument with the CP Pt, and being in 2 different regions this may sound like an argument from me, but it isn't. Here our Pt's get charged for: BLS- resident BLS- nonresident ALS- resident ALS- nonresident We are 100% ALS, however if the transport doesn't require ALS skills, the charge becomes BLS. I do understand what your saying to me, and It does make sense (made me see it another way) And as far as you DUST.........I'll take your minus 5 points.....I got you to respond!

Here's the situation: We have a Level 3 Trauma center (lowest level in the state) that is our Med Control. The reason for this, to the best of my knowledge, is only because they are the largest in the county (of 2 hospitals), and the "good 'ol boy system" of years ago put this into play. Anyways, the situation is that they hate for us to use helicopters, stating that the cost can be a hardship for the PT and their family. On the other hand, I have recently taken in 2 Pt's who really didn't need an ER (let alone an ambulance to transport them) from a single vehicle MVC. upon arrival to the ER (med control) they had called a "trauma alert" without my request (obviously), and based only on MOI. I spoke to my Med Director who happen to be working that day, and asked.......WHY? I was told that the reason is because the Trauma Surgeon wants the ALERTS called to help maintain their rating. My questions are simple: 1) What are your thoughts about the Hospital making decisions based off of MOI in a radio report? 2) How do you feel (as a pt advocate) with the charges that the ER is costing these Pt's in order to maintain a certificate before they even see them? 3) Does it make any sense that we are allowing this ER to charge approx $5,000 for this ALERT instead of flying a pt to a Level 1 TC for approx $6,500?

My own 2 cents would be to let the PT read the PCR. As far as I am concerned they get to read what I have written because it is a part of their medical records, however a COPY of the PCR would have to be requested through my admin. With that said I will allow PT to read the report, but only the pt......not their family. If there were any changes and/or corrections requested by the PT, I would take them under advisement. In Ruffems situation, ths would be an example of a needed change for me, but documenting poor living behaviors is what it is. If they don't like it then they can clean their house or not request to read the report.

BLAH, BLAH.....YAWN, I'm bored within 2 pages and only 1 post!

I'm just wondering why you would ask a question when you have already justified the answer in your head. Sounds like you have NO choice but to carry all this crap on every call for fear of getting a NOI. If that's the case then learn to deal with it....really! If you have been doing this since 1977, then why haven't you figured out another way, by now, to make your job easier? You asked the question looking for opinions, or did I misread this? when peeps gave it, you went on a 8 to 10 paragraph rampage. Being in the "JOB" for so many years wouldn't you agree that you sounded like a whacker when you posed the initial question? Take a breath!

The answer is "NO" here, i am also a professional, and surrounded by 3 different fire districts that have recently become paid (within the past 3 years). these guy/girls have NO alcohol in/ on/ or around their district properties. we have NO alcohol allowed either, not even for cooking. NO tolerance, NO question!! the perception of the public, if this were to happen, would destroy the reputation of our profession in this area, and we have worked way to hard in many different aspects to gain the public's respect!

I use an ADC as well, but can't remember what model.....had it for almost 9 years now...........I paid $11 for it and it's great, just kidding! I do like ADC tho!

have to go with Rid on this one........doesn't matter if your uncle is a POS, SOB, or just a simple BH........he doesn't have to sign anything. My question is: Did the medic explain to your uncle how to go about getting a copy of the PCR, and what it was that he was being asked to sign? this could have made a huge difference (maybe not) with your uncle. Can't fault him for being cautious, and questioning the medical providers. If more peeps did this we would more than likely not see little grandma with 3 Doctors and a list of meds that hit the floor contradicting each other.

I agree with the statement that private services ARE part of the system. in many cases they are the system and run all the 911 service to the community. Rural Metro for instance in Fulton Co GA. (Atlanta). and those are some hard working mofos for sure. The problems that I have had and seen from friends of mine is that the Private companies tend to (and maybe not always....yeah right) abuse the hell out of their trucks, equipment, and staff. By that what I'm saying is they tend to push every last bit of life out of everything. In the area that I work, the privates do back-up work for the most part, and a lot of us get our start there, but then tend to abuse them because we are now working for a department/ district. It's funny how fast we tend to forget what life is like being on that truck and trying to get our foot in the door for the almighty 911 job. If your are in a similar situation, hate the Co not the crew, they just might turn out to be awesome some day when they build up their experiences.

Isn't it funny how little newer people in this field know about just listening, or holding that hand on the way to the ED. I precept new EMTs and Medics in my area and always try to hammer into their heads that 95% of what we do is compassion. OK, I realize that number may be way off, because I have no studies to back it up, but hell, it works for me. I had a new EMT a few years ago that was 3rd riding on my truck, we got to a call at the local care center for an elderly lady who had fallen and had a large skin tear on her forearm. long story short, she was very HOH and after the bleeding was controlled she began to cry. I took the hand of the EMT and placed her hand in his, then told him to just sit with her. By the time we got to the ED, she had both of us on either side, and a huge smile on her little face. she never spoke a word, but when we moved her to the ED's stretcher, she hugged the newbie. He got back in the truck, and sat there the whole time we were at the hospital. I found him later and he said that he had never experienced that before, and they had never taught him that in school. From there he became a Medic and is one of the most compassionate people I have ever seen on the street. kinda sappy I know, but how true it is!!!!!

OK now it is a little more clear to me as well that your union issue is with your union. maybe that should be another issue since it's so alive. i would have to say that i agree with Dust on this issue, think about it. Why buy the cow if the milk is for free? of course volunteer EMS is going to have a profound effect on paid EMS. the other thing is that unionized EMS is going to effect non-unionized EMS and v/v.

hahahahahahaha! OK, again i will repeat the short story. Some of the board members that serve the people of MY District have been there since the District began (they were volunteers at that time). One year during contract NEGOITATIONS one of them stated that " you guys already make good money, hell I remember when I did it for free" . Where do my union reps fit into the making of this statement? might I also add that I'm clear that most districts, at least in a rural setting, start off as volunteer services then grow into paid services.....union or not, how is it MY union's fault for my current pay rate? we (the employees of this district) negotiate with the Board of Directors as a shop for our pay and bennies. So how is the blame on the IAFF if we don't use them to increase our pay scale for us? I think your clouded by the union issue instead of what this thread is really about....volunteers v. paid.

I think it would be fair to say that we could pull a little prospective from every call we run if you stop to think about it. i had a call where this Rail Road worker was accidentally run over by a train removing both of his legs. he survived and stopped by the station to meet all of us who worked the call. talk about changing your attitude on life in general. he was one of the most upbeat people that i have ever meet given his disability (for lack of a better term), by the way did I mention yet that he was alone and drove himself approx 2 hrs to meet us? yeah, an eye opener for sure. makes you appreciate what you have in life.

"Just so you know I don't believe you guys get such crappy pay because of the vollys its because your union (if you have them) haven't been doing their job to make sure you are paid appropriatly and that you are recieving the proper benifits that you deserve, so maybe you should start with them not the ones who take the time to serve thier commuity." a fine statement and we should all stand up and take note that it is all my UNION'S fault that I don't make a 6 figure salary, or maybe just maybe it could be the Board members that regulate MY district that have been there (as VOLUNTEERS) since the inception of the district. They actually made the statement during contract negotiations that "you guys already make good money, hell I remember when I did it for free" great, but that was 25 to 30 years ago before ambulance drivers became educated and stepped up to being Paramedics and yes even the RN here and there. Being that these Board members "represent" the public, I'd say that attitude surely hurts the EMS professionals in this area as far as pay is concerned, although I'm sure it is just MY opinion and maybe I should blame MY union. question: since I am a unionized Paramedic, does this mean that I don't serve my community? or is it because I chose to get paid for my services in order to support and raise my family? hmmmmm......I'll have to think about my career choice it seems.........

i was taught years ago that anything i might put on a burn would HAVE to be taken off the burn.......i would only imagine that an IV would be the same!