P_Instructor

Should driving while texting be a crime?

My opinion only, specific crime only, no. However, if causes harm to anyone, maybe. Overall, should be heavily penalized, especially in our business of EMS where we are to promote the safety of the public (citizen education).

Holy buckets, Batman, the bucket is overflowing with responses. Alright, this intro just to lighten the discussion a bit. I greatly appreciate the viewing (over 1000) and the responses to the topic I brought forth. I knew that this would have great debate, and all responses whether positive or negative were followed by me. For members who have viewed and not responded, please do so. Your input would be greatly appreciated. This from a practicing provider and also an instructor (for an accredited and degree program).

Thanks!

So I can safely assume that you dont want your trial offer of poodle-sise?

Just watching it makes me dogged tired........rather do something else...

All I can say is WOOF! Then I get it's B-arf!

I do however have issue with states that use I-99's to compensate for lack of paramedics...or in Iowa's case, calling an Intermediate-99 a paramedic and an NREMT-Paramedic a "paramedic specialist".

Whoa pardner.....Since I originated this post concerning the different levels and new standards, I was very interested in other opinions. Concerning this statement you made above, just what 'issue' do you have? I am from Iowa, was an 85-I, then took the paramedic course a long time ago and saw the progression of the 99I. Do not pen the phrase 'for lack of paramedics'. There were many other factors why Iowa provided this level, and the term 'Iowa Paramedic' for the 99I was because of the specific topics taught within this curriculum aligned with Iowa's scope of practice. Did I completely agree with this.....no.....but there are numerous other items to consider. This has created a nightmare for some of these individuals currently at the 99I or 85I level on whether to move up or down to the forecasted EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic level. It's a dilema that this post was originally started to see how others within the nation felt about the changes.

They arent the only ones going WHAT!!! Thanks P for sharing that makes one think. Wonder who they are going to get to do human test on?

aah, who knows. Imagine having a 'J' tank of this loaded on your ambulance....?????

Interesting concept for 'not killing' but 'killing' certain diseases.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/09/cheating.death.suspended.animation/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

I bet all you RT's are going.......WHAT?????

I do not believe that the program or the school makes the provider...Any educational experience is what you make of it.... I think reasonable people will see my point... which is... judge a provider on his own merits first, then move on to figuring out who is to blame for their quality.

Thank you. As an instructor of a tech college, it is my job to provide guidance to the student so they can fully comprehend what being a paramedic is, all facets......It IS what the student makes of it. If they know their 'worth', and are willing to learn, they will do fine. If an instructor cannot do their job, the student will suffer and the public will suffer, maybe......the key as you stated is judge them on their merits, but be careful moving on to figuring out who is to blame, as this will most likely be the student themselves. Thanks for the 'vent'.

Welcome and good luck. Which Medic program are you attending?

Thank you for the 'discussion' whether it be a little personal or not. I have come to realize that each state will have to adopt the standards that will meet there regional requirements. This may very difficult for some states to adhere to. In my opinion (as of now), the process is to clean up the current mess that is out there. If everyone can get to a standardized format, the EMS nation as a whole may progress forward, however this will take time and a lot of effort. It is about time to bring everyone back in line and not let states go rampant with what they want personnally. Again, my opinion only and looking forward how this hopefully will improve even better the EMS field response.

Usually inappropriate for scene response. My opinion is that aeromedical (which is typically a money loser except for being a flying billboard) should not be utilized within a 20-30 minute scene from trauma facility. Only under extreme circumstances should it be utilized as stated in prior post (multiple patient, prolong extrication, etc.). This being said because dependant of region, request to liftoff time usually between 8-12 minutes where you still have land/scene/stabilize/package/load/transport/land time which most commonly computes to longer out of hospital time than ground transport. If the ground transport will take longer, then utilize, but it also may be dependant on patient condition (ex. fly a broken ankle????) Every situation will have different perception on utilizing the aero resource.

Ok, just got back from heated discussion/meeting concerning the new national standards and EMS level criteria. Now, what is your true opinion concerning the new levels. For, Ok, whatever, what?, or just WTF. Give me your honest opinion, even if you are one of the potential transitional providers (85I, 99I). I would greatly appreciate your response with possible debate. Thanks.

From a Paramedic with Czech and Polish heritage:

Witamy w witrynie. Hope usłyszeć od można w przyszłości.

(Yes I cheated and had to look this up.....)

Criteria or not, if you suspect the potential for a thoracic spinal injury, immobilize. You cannot completely rule out a fracture even with the best criteria against it. Without a patient refusal, board the gourd and transport.

Rabbit got shot? Oh my did he treat himself? Fly himself out - did he grab the blonde barbie medic to save him? Give himself versed? They're gonna kill him off yet and that's how they'll end this miserable show. I can see it now - Rabbit gets killed, barbie medic, and punchy pilot can't deal with and everybody up and quits. Yep - we could only hope.

At least Johnny made it plausible starting his own IV, etc. in 'Emergency'.....oh yeah, that was on the hose bed of E51 running hot to Rampart. Still was better than the crap they do on this show.

A lot of the new scoop stretchers, I've been told, are meant to also be used as a LSB... am I wrong?

It does depend on which kind you obtain. Basically what sort of gap do you have, and how can you secured your patient best to them. Most of the new ones are good, but that is from someone who is used to the old lightening rods.

makes me think of the story in the book "EMERGENCY" by jerome hoffman.

BTW - if you haven't read the book it's a decent read. True incidents that are funny, sad, etc but best because all are true.

Will do....thanks.

Yeah man, you make a great point. I love the scoop. Way more comfortable for people, they stay more easily in the center, less movement on our freaky country roads...

I think I'm going to have to dust mine off and get back to using it again.....you and Kiwi are right..

....not a problem- unless they start blinking.

/quote]

Laugh....It actually has happened to me when I was a Basic doing CPR on someone in VF. The patient was actually looking and blinking at me while I pumped on his chest. Now that was freaky! Still remember that to this day....

Welcome and good luck with your studies....

"It's the three important things about emergency medicine, which is never give up, never give up, never give up. Because there's always hope."

That is cold!!!!

My link

I hope the link goes thru...

So I used more pain meds on my patients last month than any of our other Paramedics. But as primary job is within 10 minutes to the hospital the director of nurses and me had a not so polite discussion about me interfering with doctors assessments of patients because I do pain management. The nurse said unless more than 15 minutes out I should not give pain meds. I told her my patients health and comfort come first not the doctors convenience and that any doctor that knows their job can still properly assess a patient that has been given pain meds. Plus if it seems to be hindering they can reverse the affects. So was I wrong? Would you withhold pain management?

Also I am fully in compliance with my medical directors pain management guidelines, so this is not me being a rogue medic.

Bravo to you. I applaude your ideals in patient care and comfort. I however cannot vote on the second item, within 5 minutes. This is just me, as it will be dependant on patient pain tolerance and the conditions involved. Wrong....NO.

UC????? Ummmm...California, Canada, Connecticut, Colorado, Curacao......What's 'C'?

I am sorry I was not more specific... We try and hammer that point into their heads.....,

I understand now, and sorry as I was depicting the Registry Paramedic Trauma Assessment (which I do also use for the basic to tie the whole picture together)....Maybe if we keep 'hammering' their heads, they will put the collar on themselves.....

.....I know that there is not much harm in when you perform the application of the collar. In fact doing it a bit later in the process provides you with more assessment data. As an instructor of BLS practical stations, the criteria is to apply collar immediately after you have determined that trauma is involved, or suffer from critical criteria fail.

You do as you feel fit. Concerning when the application of the collar is performed, as long as the c-spine is being adequately maintained, the c-collar may be applied after the initial head-to-toe. This will afford the opportunity to discover any injury to the neck with palpation. As an evaluator, this being performed after the first exam does not constitute a critical criteria fail. However, the collar does need to be applied for trauma prior to LSB immobilization. A cervical collar does not provide immobilization, the care giver provides this with proper technique and securing.