Arctickat
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Posts posted by Arctickat
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Anyone out here using handheld ultrasound in their vehicles? If so, what was the learning curve like? Do you use it for finding gross anomalies that would result in changes to your destination facility? Do you use it for less acute situations, such as fetal monitoring?
I'm thinking of getting one to try out on one of my ambulances, but I want it to have purpose rather than be a toy.
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Me: "Do you want to go to the hospital?"
Patient: "No!"
Me: "Okay, bye."
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I know some people are on a tight budget, but cheap just doesn't compute when compared to quality. As you've noticed, a cheap light doesn't last. Do you wanna spend 30 bucks a year for the next ten years replacing a cheap light, or do you want a high quality $200 light that will last for 20 years? I've got a Hollis LED6, cost me about $150 bucks at the local scuba shop. Waterproof, durable, and bright as a blue eye.
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We come across mental health issues every day...heck, we usually see them when we look into a mirror. You want to be compassionate for the suffering of the mentally ill, but how can you in the face of this?
The godfather of my children is a retired paramedic and coroner...this was on his turf.
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I was afraid to, given that it was presented by a spammer, that it likely had some sort of malware attached to the link.
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Has anyone bothered to follow the link?
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Here is the info regarding our recent change.
http://www.collegeofparamedics.sk.ca/cme/spinalmanagement.php
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Meh, they've been doing this on Grey's Anatomy for months.
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That's the issue Secouriste, it's supposed to be the same way here as it is where you are.
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I'm in Canada and voted. We recently implemented a spinal protocol that essentially eliminates spineboards with the exception of extrication. Even then we remove the patient as soon as practical. C-Collar stays on though.
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Any idea what the reasoning was behind the decision to sedate and fly an unwilling but competent patient?
My thinking is that they figured they knew what was better for him than he did.
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Interestingly enough we had a similar issue here recently. The patient refused to be transported by helicopter, multiple times. He was lucid and unimpaired, yet the flight crew administered 30mg Diazepam to sedate him because he was too agitated for the flight. Fortunately it wasn't sufficient and they elected to send him by ground. I wish i would have been there though, there is no way I would have allowed them to do that. Turns out as soon as he knew he wouldn't be flying he calmed right down and had an uneventful trip into the city.
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From our paramedic association:
It was with great despair that the Association of Saskatchewan Paramedics learned of the sudden passing of our brother, Jack Spyker on March 18. Jack had been employed as Primary Care Paramedic for the past two years at WPD Ambulance in North Battleford, Sask. The loss of his friendship has left many asking the question, Why? Tributes from around the world are appearing on facebook, messages of condolence and of loss. Many will miss his friendship, companionship, and loyalty.
The loss Jack’s compassion and empathy for his patients is a torch that others will bear in his stead, for his brothers and sisters will always be here to lift the burden from sagging shoulders.
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I haven't read all of the posts (have to go to work),so forgive me if someone has already posted this, but I do know of a great agency made up of first responders. Someone is there 24/7 to talk to and possibly give vetted referrals to those that need local help....someone to talk to. I've called them before and they are fantastic. It's called safe call now. safecallnow.org.
Just putting it out there. They helped me recently with this very topic. I attended the funerals of two friends, this past weekend, that committed suicide.
Something that people are reluctant to talk about is survivor guilt. "Why didn't I see?" "Why wasn't I there?" "Could I have done more?"
I'm sorry for your loss. Just for my statistical purposes, were your friends part of the First Responder family?
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Did you contat the HR department for that company and tell them what you just told us?
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Hell, I think every routine poster here has PTSD. That's a disability, isn't it?
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That would likely be a better question for a forum for lawyers than for paramedics. Although I am not American, I do know that my application has the same question with one subtle difference.
Do you have any disabilities which may affect your ability to perform your duties? If Yes, please describe.
In your case, you would be quite safe in answering no. On your application, I would have described the disability. The other question is whether or not you actually have a disability. It's rectified completely by a hearing aid. If you can still use a stethoscope, all should be well.
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I must admit, I have been having second thoughts regarding Mikeymedic's apparent indifference to the suicide rate in EMS. Back when I was on the cusp, I had much the same attitude. It wasn't until recently that I realised that my indifference to the suffering of those on the job around me was not only causing them harm, but more importantly, myself. The attitude that if you can't hand;e the heat, stay out of the kitchen is rampant amongst those in our line of work, and truth be told, those words came from my mouth as well. Until I realised that it was just my cover, my denial and bravado was my coping mechanism and it was a hair's breadth from failing me and those I love.
Since then the world has been a much better place for me, my family, and my friends. Kelly Grayson's words of wisdom regarding depression quite likely helped to save my life.The gist of what he said...or how I chose to interpret it...was that once you recognise and acknowledge the cause of your drepression, it no longer has a hold over you. You can see it for what it truly is and deal with it in a healthy manner.
Shea Emry is a professional Canadian football player, and he started a foundation called www.wellmen.org to teach men that they don't have to be tough guys and fight through their depression...that there are better ways. I recently discovered his foundation and I plan to work with him to develop something for first responders of both genders.
Mikey, please, you need to deal with your issues in a healthy manner. Acknowledge them and accept them, only then can you begin to deal with them.
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ERDoc, did it seem fairly stable? I mean holding in my hands seems like it is so lightweight it would fall apart. I understand that the indirect visualisation technique means you don't have to exert the forces associated with direct laryngoscopy, but if I had to use it for that I'm afraid it would fall apart in my hand.
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http://globalnews.ca/video/1816811/survey-looks-at-paramedic-ptsd-and-suicide
http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/canadian-paramedics-are-the-most-likely-citizens-to-develop-ptsd
If a paramedic is still experiencing symptoms of CIS 30 days after the initial traumatizing event, they can then be diagnosed with PTSD. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, about eight percent of Canadians have PTSD. That number rises to 10 percent when you factor in soldiers returning from combat. However, in emergency service workers like paramedics, fire fighters, nurses and doctors, the number jumps even higher: they're two times more likely than the average citizen to be affected.A 2012 study on Ottawa emergency service workers found that paramedics were at the highest risk of developing PTSD.
Paramedics are more than twice as likely to develop PTSD, Depression and be at risk for suicide than veterans returning from war.
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So...I signed this new contract to provide services and it provided sufficient funding for me to buy some equipment upgrades for my home agency.
Of course I didn't research them beyond the "Hey, that's cool." factor. Now that I have some of these things, they're still pretty cool, but we haven't had much chance to use them in my tiny service.
So, have you guys ever used any of this stuff, and what do you think?
The McGrath MAC video laryngoscope
Sapphire infusion pump (For our new aviation division)
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Mr. Sharp, 29, of Philadelphia, died Wednesday, February 11, 2015 in Demopolis, Alabama.
He was a lifelong resident of Neshoba County. He was a graduate of Neshoba Central High School and East Central Community College. He worked as a flight paramedic for Air Evac Lifeteam in Demopolis, Alabama and also as a paramedic for Metro Ambulance Service in Meridian. Mr. Sharp was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and a member of Linwood Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his girlfriend, Courtney Townsend of Forest; parents, Danny and Penny Sharp of Philadelphia; sister, Amy Sharp of Brandon; paternal grandparents, Ed and Martha Sharp of Philadelphia; aunt, Gail Turner (Steve) of Philadelphia; uncles, Brad Permenter (Jimmie) of Philadelphia and Walt Permenter (Marie) of Philadelphia and several cousins.
Mr. Sharp was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ed and Marlene Permenter.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Turner, Wesley Spears, Thomas Tinsley, Mark Pankratz, Coker Fulton, Byron Tullos, Chris Fortune and Clark Hodge. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the EMS community and Linwood Volunteer Fire Department.
Handheld Ultrasound
in Equiqment and Apparatus
Posted
Sorry Ruff....I'm a bit naive here...misused in what manner? My organisation is small enough that it would only be used by me and one or two others. Thanks for the info Medic, I wasn't aware that STARS was using them. My plan is to be able to transmit the feed to the trauma centre.