MP-EMT22

Overdosing or committing a harmful dosing error is probably the #1 nightmare I have as a paramedic. I was looking online for something completely separate when I came across a news story about a seasoned nurse who had accidently administered 10 times the appropriate amount of medication and it was devistating for the patient, as well as the nurse. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43529641/ns/health-health_care/t/nurses-suicide-highlights-twin-tragedies-medical-errors/ What safeguards do you have at your service to prevent med errors? How does your service handle reported medication errors? What do you wish EMS would do differently to make events like this less common?

Well then, judging by the majority of responses. I'll take the answer to my initial questions as a solid NO...and I will be sure to let everyone know how it goes with the whole Creighton shindig. Im sure all of you will be in high anticipation my review.

Our paramedic class was required to take the Fisdap paramedic test for graduation. A number of our instructors either worked for Fisdap or wrote questions. The questions that they use are the same type of questions the NREMT uses called "validated" questions which means that they are not from some question bank out of nowhere. They go through a process of review from medical directors, surgeons, and educators which takes about 2 years. The reason it is utilized is that they have a 97% NREMT pass rate for those who pass their Fisdap exams. So,if you can pass the Fisdap test, you can pass the registry and that is probably what your employer is going for. Its harder than the national registry on purpose.

Here's a quick way to find the location of where an infarction is occurring on a 12 Lead. The SALLI method. This is a quick way to determine what part of the heart is involved in an infarction, as well as the reciprocal leads that you may observe in a STEMI. S-V1,V2 A-V3,V4 L-V5,V6 L-I,AVL I-II,III,AVF S-Septal A-Anterior L-Lateral L-Lateral I-Inferior Also, if you see elevation in multiple sites like ST-elevation in V1-V4, you are seeing atero-septal (A&L) involvement, or elevation in V3-V6 (atero-lateral) involvement. I know there is another method that goes along the line of "I see all leads" but I figured I would offer another option. The only thing you have to remember is that the inferior region involves 3 leads as opposed the the others which involve 2. This is important thing to consider when it comes to right sided MI's where you need to consider whether it is appropriate to administer nitro or fluid and let the Frank-Starling mechanism work to your advantage. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

I had to make a big overhaul on how I studied as a student when I was younger to when I studied as an adult learner. The advice I recieved was the same advice on how to eat an elephant...one bite at a time. Study the material for 45mins, then take a 15min break and repeat. Its alot to ask of your brain to retain new information, especially when the topics are so unfamiliar. When you are trying to learn a new topic, try and absorb the material by multiple avenues (verbal, visual, auditory). Read the material, talk about the material, watch a video about the material (khanacademy.com). Since you normally absorb about 20% of what you read, it helps to decrease the deficite with other ways to learn the material. Hope it helps and best of luck.

I have no issues with you Ruffmeister. And my statement in reference to EMT City not taking out the trash was not in response to you. I have no problem saying I am wrong and someone clarifying my question, because it appears that there is a big difference between CCEMT-P and other certs like FP-C which chbare was kind enough to educate me on. I was fine with this up to there Island EMT, answers like yours and your lack of intelligent contributions to this topic are the reason why people dont want to ask questions. You were being nothing but a troll with nothing to offer to the conversation. You are one to talk when you stated nothing on the actual topic other than what other people said. If anyone is offended that I think theres garbage on EMT City that hasnt been dealt with and you have something valuable to contribute to a topic that isnt chastising, then it probably doesnt apply to you. But I have been on this site for a few years now and it is a constant issue when a new member asks a question and they recieve nothing but negative feedback and they dont even get an answer.

That is the kind of response I was looking for. THANK YOU! I dont know about the program, looks interesting, let me know how it goes. That is what I was expecting. Nice to see someone was pleasant enough to address my initial questions. Instead, I get everything but. I honestly havent been on this site for months because I was disgusted by how a large group of people have this complex that they can comment and sarcastically chastise people when they ask a question and not even answer it in the process. Looks like someone forgot to take out the trash in EMT City. You wont gain new members with peoples attitudes like that.

Attitude? If thats the impression that people are getting from my replies then there is more than one misunderstanding with this and I take responsibility for my part of it. As far a being unreceptive of the truth with the younger crowd, thats a pretty bold statement. I was not aware that such a "prestegious" site like this didnt allow misunderstandings and misinterpretations of information. I hope you dont fall off that high horse of yours. My initial question was if anyone went through the course. I recieved replies from everyone except someone who went through the course. It was not a quest for truth island, just a simple inquiry. Criticism and narcicism...I see that alot with the older generation crowd.

I think I have found out my fault in my understanding of the matter and I appreciate the additional information you provided. With the comments prior, I didnt even think that the term CCEMT-P was proprietary to UMBC. My assumption was if your occupation referred to that patient transport demographic which required skills or medications during transport outside the regular paramedic scope, (i.e. chest tubes, lab interpretation,flight physiology) it would be for a ccemt-p but it appears I used the term too loosely. My mistake. Secondly, I was also under the assumption that the course was fairly popular, but on and offline I have not been able to find anyone who has taken their course which was my initial question. Looks like the UMBC course may be the more credible route for the education.

"Successful completion of this course will result in a certificate of completion, 96 hours of continuing education and preparation for the Certified Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C®) and Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C®) Exams administered by the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC®)." -Creighton CCEMT-P Website Once again, I am not looking for an opinion. Im looking for someones personal experience. And if you did have that experience, you would have known what the course involves. Didnt answer my question.

Im am looking for someones personal experience with the course. Im not looking for a state cert/lic. If you didnt take the course, thats not what im looking for.

Hi. Im a paramedic from Owatonna, MN. Just started a new job after school and and currently in the process of moving closer to the area.

Has anyone gone through the online ccemt-p course offered through Creighton University? How was your experience with the provided material? What text did you feel suited the course best? What was the clinical portion like?

Hello Everyone! I have been a member for quite a while but I've been gone for such a long time that I might as well reintroduce myself. I have just finished the AEMT program and am starting the paramedic core program at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, MN. I was recently discharged from the army in August of last year and currently work as a medic at a horse racetrack.

I would hate to be in this guy's shoes. What really matters if he's innocent is not whether or not the court of law finds him not guilty, but whether the court of public opinion does. As a police officer, I have seen numerous occasions where a false rape accusation can benefit the supposed victim whether it be sympathy, or a diversion of an accusation against themselves. Another thought is whether the accusation is rape, or sexual assault. In some states, its defined as one in the same. But for most, they can be articulated in two completely separate categories. I can see it more if its a sexual assault accusation. One hand in the wrong place for too long on the opposite sex, and you have a free ticket to the state pen for sexual assault. (Palpation with the back of the hand) Rape on the other hand would be far less subtle. But either way, im sure that the news agency that reported it could care less whether they differentiated between the two and used the proper term. I can only hope that justice is served swiftly if he is truly guilty, or he can recover whatever reputation he has left and rebuild if he is innocent.

Well aren't you productive there Dwayne. You must be some life saving, spell checking, grammar correcting, high speed guru. I'm pretty sure they were looking for advice, not a proofreading. With all that knowledge and experience behind you, I am sure you can find some resource that you could give them to facilitate better success with the NREMT, but your first language curiosity for personal enjoyment takes precedence I guess. By the way, I am pretty sure its busting your balls, not you balls.

Go to EMTB.com and take the registry review. Also, I bought the EMT Cram Plan made by cliffnotes and I passed 2 weeks ago. I posted some tips on NREMT success at the NREMT and other tests section under education. Hope this helps. Best of luck

Cause of Death: Hit by big block of irony

Hello and welcome Mr. Clemons! Its good to have you here. I live about 40mins from the great Music City. EMS is a great place to make a fresh start. My dad did the same thing about a year ago after a successful career and multiple computer degrees only to go back to school for nursing and he hasn't looked back since. Best of luck with your EMT-B class. Hope to hear from you in the forums.

<pre style="font-size: 9pt;">The results are in. I passed the NREMT-B. As for those who have yet to take the test. I have found a few good tips to set you up for success .#1. Find a study guide- Whether you have just finished your EMT class or you are making your first attempt to take the NREMT after having your state certification for a while, I find that it may be in your best interest to find a resource specifically preparing you for the NREMT. Me personally, used my notes from my state refresher and a test prep study guide. The guide that I used was "EMT-Basics Exam Cram Plan" made by Cliffnotes. It is set up with a diagnostic test to find out where your strengths and weaknesses are and provides the chapter and topic of the area that you need improvement. It also contains a study schedule based on how much time you have before the test (i.e. 2 months, 1 month, or 2 weeks). Keep in mind, just because you have a study guide that has EMT plastered all over it, make sure that the guide caters to NREMT and not just a state level. You can find that by the first couple of pages and more than likely, it will state what test it is preparing you for. It may have been a while since you have taken a test and the anxiety may interfere with your best judgment of the correct answer so find one that test your knowledge and find the areas that need more attention. #2. Memorize, Memorize Memorize-The Practical Skill Sheets- The first thing that threw me off with practicing the skills is that I couldn't conduct my evaluation the way that I used to after I obtained my state certification. Once you get the hang of the way you evaluate a patient, you don't always verbalize your thoughts and you may have tips and tricks that you have learned from people you work with or other knowledgeable resources that could have made it easier. The NREMT proctors are looking for accuracy, nothing more and nothing less. They are looking at the skill sheet and and a lot of the time they may be looking at the sheet waiting for audible clues to check the block so if you didn't verbalize it, it didn't happen. So help you if you failed to verbalize a critical skill. The best way to conduct your evaluation is to memorize the sheet and follow it to the t. You may be the guru of splinting, and your peers may bow before you by your ability to complete your assessment in record time.....but if you aren't holding proper spinal stabilization, all of that matters as much as a speed boat without its motor. Its useless. You may have your assessment down packed but if you want NREMT, its their house and you play by their rules .#3. Lastly, Take A Breath, Relax, and Enjoy the Possibility At the end of the day, the tests don't determine whether you are, or will be a good EMT. The tests are only a method for the National Registry to see that you have met the standards to wear their patch and carry their card. I have always struggled as a test taker and 2nd and 3rd tries on tests are not foreign to me. If you want it come and get it. If at first you don't succeed, try another method of studying. You may be a physical leaner where you need to touch something to absorb the information or a visual learner where you need to see it to learn it. Its not the end of the world. It may pay off in the end. Best of luck to all and I hope this helps.</pre>

My main goal is to become a paramedic. My other goal is to use my last 2 years wisely and possibly put it to good use and possibly enjoy it if I can. If I stay where I am, it wont be the case. The company is on a downhill slope. Poor decisions during deployment, a soldier suicide, and habitually poor leadership. Being an MP was a bad decision in the first place and I shouldnt have signed the contract if I had to choose and MOS that wasnt my initial choice (68W). Its damage control at this point. My perception of the Army is blemished by this company and I am stuck between staying and sticking it out and do civilian EMS or extend for a year to reclass with hopes that it will be a turn for the best. I dont mean to complain but the issues are variables that influence the decision making process. Just the facts. Thanks MP-EMT22

To any 68W"s out there, your help would be greatly appreciated. I am currently a 31B (military police) and I am doing pretty much everything I can to reenlist to reclass. Problem is, the in/out calls shows that I cant leave my MOS. Has anyone had to deal with this issue to enter an new MOS? If so, how did you do it. I still have 2 years left and my reenlistment window is now open and my choices are to either wait it out in a MOS and company with grave low moral and poor leadership and wait til I get to the civilian side to start paramedic school....or make the attempt to reclass. My only fear is that I will end up in an even worse situation in a more miserable company with more time in my contract. Could any current 68W's give me an idea on the pro's and con's of your MOS? I have already deployed so combat is not the factor I am worrying about. Its just another miserable enlistment that is the issue. I currently am a state certified EMT and I am willing to start over from the beginning of the 16 weeks. I just need some solid advice to make the best decision. Thanks

Hello Brownie! Welcome to EMS City. I am fairly new to this site but I do have some insight on the aspect of EMS and the military. I am currently a military police officer and a volunteer EMT. If you are planning on being in the military and deploying to the current conflict areas i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan, there is a very big possibility of seeing trauma in the military while in garrison or deployed whether you are a medic or not. Its apart of the job. All soldiers before deployment go through something that is a parallel to a first responder course called combat life saver, which is what soldiers utilize when your fellow soldiers are wounded on the battle field. Although medics have more medical expertise and their scope of practice is broader, any soldier may have to deal with seeing things that are uncomfortable. But the mind set is not about the blood or the gore that is observed...but more of " how do I help this person to keep them alive?" Everyone has their own type of injury or observation that makes them feel uncomfortable but the more practice you have and the more exposure you get to that issue, the more likely you will act accordingly to accomplish the task at hand. Mind you, some things may be harder to cope with than others but in those cases, there are people out there that are willing to listen to your experience and help you deal with it and help you move on. Once again, welcome to the EMS City community and I hope that this is helpful to you.

I ETS in Oct. of 2012. I have considered transferring to the guard or reserves but I would like to get my paramedic beforehand so I would have a wider scope of practice if reclassed to a 68W. I would also want to use the post 9/11 gi bill while im out so I can utilize the housing stipend which I wouldnt be able to do if I immediately transferred. Thanks

Hello everyone in EMT City. This is my first time on the site and I thought I would share a little bit about myself. I am currently a military police officer in the army and just recently returned from Iraq this past June. I was an EMT in Maryland prior to enlisting and hope to go back and get my NREMT-P when I get out. I am really interested in staying involved with current EMT issues and topics and can hopefully stay as informed as possible for when I get back in the gut bucket.