tcripp

I don't think it's a hard course to pass. To me, it's like any driving course - just a bigger vehicle. Take a deep breath and do what they tell you.

Yeah, Dfib. Confused me the first time I got a check...but now I kinda like it!

My first thought is "consider yourself lucky". I work PRN for one service who offers nothing by way of training. The county service I was working for required CPR/ACLS/PALS and it followed the concept of my original post. And, yes, that included my taking vacation time or no pay if I couldn't get someone to trade. My new gig will pay for my hours...but I pay for the course. But, we aren't looking at $200-$300 per class - more like $50. Since I started out as a volunteer and had to cover all my costs, it's really never crossed my mind to be any different and I simply get elated with the training is free and during work hours. Of course, I tend to drink the koolaid...

For card classes; what I have noticed is they are either paying you to take the class (your salary at straight or overtime) or they are reimbursing you for the course if it was on your own time. I have yet to see anyone do both.

Wanted to see if you were paying attention!

But...but...that's why I got in to this business. Where else can I strip someone and get paid to do it? Seriously, I only cut when I need to for treatment or assessment. Sometimes I don't cut enough and I need to get better. And, if the patient is conscious and the need is REALLY there, I explain to the patient prior to cutting precisely WHY. And, sometimes, the wife is ELATED when I have to cut that one particular shirt off her husband.

Point taken, señor. Point taken.

Excellent question and an opportunity for us to better know each other. Once upon a time, I would have told you reading...I could zip through a good book in no time. However, with school and text books, I've lost that ability. I find a good chapter in a text to be more satisfying. However, I'm currently sucked in to the world of Facebook games...and while that is certainly not a hobby...the hubby will tell you that I am addicted. tlc

I truly hope that this wasn't an anomaly but rather a change in how you will deal with your patients in this situation. I know that working in a rural area, I have hugged my fair share of patients and patients' family members. At the end of a hard shift, I look at that as a gratuity for 'above and beyond' and would not trade for any of them. With my move to the clinical setting...I hope that I don't lose those opportunities. For some reason, it's verification that I do still have the human contact in this business. Toni

My heart is with you all...

Since Texas doesn't have state protocols, I'll chime in and say, "no". But it's like anything else we do...if they don't need transport, then we do what we can/need to and let them refuse the rest. I've worked EMS standby since 2004 - so if you have some specific questions, I'll be more than happy to help. Toni

Just so you know, you get more than one edit...it's only limited by time. At least, that is how it used to be. (no edits...just double checking...twice.)

Dennis - Doc is right. Any patient who oriented to self/date/location/date/president/dimes in a dollar/etc can refuse treatment/transport. If you are uncomfortable with that...get law enforcement to assist. They will have their own set of rules, but the fact that there were drugs involved may change the game just a tad. FYI, we had a fairly young man (in his 30s) with a brand new pacemaker/defibrillator, which kept going off. When it wasn't firing, he would pass out, but not long enough for us to transport. He adamantly refused transport. We had no option but to let him go but we documented the hell out of that report. County Deputy happened to be on scene (other reasons and he was the one who actually called for us), but he had no reason to haul him in...he had not broken the law. We left the guy on the side of the road. Deputy would not let him drive his vehicle (unsafe driver at that point), so he was on his own. I'd also like to suggest you watch your spelling and punctuation. It does make it difficult to follow. (BTW, it's narcan.) Toni edited - I missed a comma

Giggle. Good one! (null)

Danny - thanks! Systemet - very much appreciate your sentiment and actually have enjoyed getting back to a normal sleep cycle. Dwayne - you are just jealous because I will have my own pole whereas most fire services have to share one. Ewww! (Thanks, sir! And, yes, you are very clever. I even understood without the explanation. I'm bright like that. )

While everyone is looking at how to get in to the 911 EMS realm, I am making a move in to a clinical setting. Can't wait to see what the new position will provide, but it is a paramedic position in an imaging clinic. Now, I am already missing the tones and the radio traffic...but what I'm not missing is the late night toe pain calls. Additionally, I'm excited that I will have holidays and Sunday's off...will be making more per hour with fewer overtime hours...and sleeping in my own bed seven nights a week.

Depends on the service you work for and each will have their own criteria. One service I applied had had us provide a state driving record and background check. Another, I believe, just had us provide the background check. But, one accident shouldn't be an issue. It's the pattern they are looking for. I will tell you this...if it comes up in the interview, be honest about it. And, hopefully you've learned from the experience and this will be behind you. Toni

You know...probably the best thing you could get him would be some type of gift certificate to purchase what he would like.

Doesn't get any better than that!

I doubt you will find some magical website with that information as it will vary system to system. What I can tell you is that to work in my system, everyone is a qualified driver. We also have an EMT/Paramedic squad where, usually, the EMT does the driving. If the patient care is determined to be a basic or intermediate patient, then I drive to the hospital. Otherwise, my parter continues to drive and I continue patient care. It is in our books that the paramedic delivers about 98% of the care, so you see...I don't drive much. But, there isn't anything saying that I can't drive to the calls...it just usually doesn't happen that way.

Interesting question. Everything I have ever read or been taught has indicated that the tubing run "down" the center of your arm and should remain distally if the cuff is moved below the elbow or to another limb. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find anything that explains why or why not the other way. Agree with Mike - I'd defer to the manufucaturer's documentation. Toni

Gee, wish I had said that...

Although my experience is limited, I have yet to have a family member try to direct my treatment plan. The only thing I can think of on my behalf is that I explain what I am doing and why to those around. Now, I have had my fair share of patients direct their own care, but that is their prerogative. I am getting better about having family ride up front instead of in the back (something about liability and safety seems to make that a non-issue), so I guess I'll just have to play it by ear if it does happen. Toni

And I see it as an issue of both. As an instructor, he could have/should have pointed out the word 'obvious' to help in the decision making process of getting to the right answer versus just saying "it is what it is". That way it fits for both the PHTLS test as well as most protocols.

What is even more disheartening is that the instructor gave you that answer instead of giving you a decent response or, at the very least, saying "You know, I don't know why that answer - let me get back to you." Now, they tell you not to read in to the question and I think that is what you wanted...more details. But, the word 'obvious' is the clue in this question - that you most likely are seeing a gaping hole or brain matter and starting CPR would be futile. Just my two cents...