EmergencyMedicalTigger

The county does drug/alcohol testing following any accident. Some cases that are very a minor, a lieutenant can determine testing isn't necessary and we don't have to go through the hassle. For instance, I had to document an accident when my backer who wasn't paying attention backed me into an overhanging carport at about 2mph. I could not see the overhang and stopped immediately once I felt the bump. Since our shift lieutenant felt the accident was minor and easily explainable we didn't have to go out of service to go through drug testing. I think that the drug testing policy can be a little extreme in some cases, but I feel some type of policy should be in place. I suppose these types of random testings are put in place because of something that happened in the past.

Wow the Executive Ultra Realistic Kit comes with the 5" Whizzinator....it looks so "ultra realistic." puhlease I don't think the Whizzinator is going to fool anyone with half a brain.

We have random drug testing as well as testing any time an accident occurs while on duty. Everyone is made aware of the policy when hired. I've had to take into consideration cutting short the partying the day before my shift and I don't do drugs, because I love my job and want to keep it. You have to consider the safety and well-being of yourself, your partner, and your patients. I wouldn't give your friend any special treatment. He shouldn't have to worry much anyways if he smoked a week ago-unless, of course, he's lying. I don't think it stays in the system that long.

There are many BS calls in EMS. Sometimes after seeing so many really serious pts, there is a tendency to write off pts who don't appear to be ill. Here's something to consider, would you rather just transport this pt who has called b/c she said she is too mentally disturbed to drive herself or would you rather respond to a MVA a little later b/c she 'loses it' while driving? She has the potential to cause harm to herself and numerous others around her. If she needs help and calls you, just transport her, write your simple run report, and go on with your day.

I accepted my first job offer in 911. I'll be working for Fort Bend EMS (just outside of Houston, TX). I've volunteered 911, but I will finally get paid. I am very excited at this opportunity. Does anyone have any words of wisdom to impart upon about Fort Bend or reporting to your first day on the job? I've heard this service has a consistent call volume and should give me good field experience as I continue with my education towards paramedicine. I just wanted to thank everyone who posts on emtcity, whether I've agreed with them or not. I began visiting this site when I was new to EMS and I will be logging in more than ever for advice and to aid my knowledge base.

I use the term truck even though some patients think it says 'taxi' somewhere on the side.

I'm surrounded by Canadians :shock: I'm on the gulf coast of Texas where the mosquitos are large enough to carry off small dogs. But we've got plenty of guns and beer, so we don't care! Yeehaw! :occasion5: Hopefully I'll pass the Intermediate test this weekend. Also have PHTLS and PEPP.

I agree 100%. I assume you're talking about the full page ad in JEMS. How can a magazine have articles about professionalism and increasing education in EMS endorse this pathetic show? They should have watched a couple episodes first before accepting the check for that advertisement.

I only saw the last 20 minutes, but the show looked pretty awful. Yeah, most shows will have inaccuracies, but come on...at least attempt to ventilate the pt after you tube her. I didn't know you could get a good sinus rhythm with the "monitor stare" technique. I never learned that in school! Do you need a certain number of medics to perform it properly?

The article also did not consider the level of training that Basics receive around those cities. Maybe the program requirements for those areas are higher (not sure)? Or maybe there is a relation to the proximity of certain hospitals to the pts. There are definitely multiple factors that are not necessarily directly related to the number of Paramedics who are first response. I hate research that claims there is a single variable directly responsible for outcomes. Much more research needs to be conducted, because there are most likely multiple variables and spurious factors responsible.

This scenario has become a confusing mess starting on page 1. :? Has the pt made it to the hospital yet so we can end this confuzzlement? But the in depth info from the links on compartment syndrome was good. Thanks ERDoc.

I have to agree...Homeland Security is a joke. The way it is run is a waste of time and money. I don't understand your comment about being an almighty NREMT to respond like that....? :?

MC Kickbutt !! :bootyshake:

So now the thread has been reduced to direct name calling...*that's* real professional. I've seen more horse's butts in this thread than I saw during the race this weekend. :roll:

Yeah those junkie race horses can be a real problem. ODing in the back alleys of race tracks across America. A vet tech can push narcan and it doesn't hurt the 'real' doctor's feelings? The vet techs should want to educate themselves more. What a disgrace to the field of veterinarian medicine! If you were a horse would you rather have a licensed vet or a vet tech give you a medication? :shock: *note sarcasm*

Mine came in third. How you not root for a horse with a cool name like Steppenwolfer? 8) Oh well...maybe next year. Hmmmm...I wonder if Narcan can be given to racehorses?

Some people have really gotten their panties/boxers/briefs in a wad over this one... :bootyshake: It's obvious at this point that this dead horse has been beaten to a pulp.

:? No, never seen that done for a trauma pt.

Our instructor in an I-85 class taught us alot of information that carries over into paramedic. He was almost teaching us at the I-99 level. It helps knowing what the paramedic is talking about, but at the same time this really hurts us as far as National Registry goes. We would learn things, but then he would tell us "you're not allowed to do that."

A chimp with the right training could hook up leads to a patient (as long as he wasn't colorblind) and hit the print button. gasp...I know how to attach leads. White, red, green...oh crap, too many colors. I give up. I can trend my patient by reassessment and vitals. If necessary, I can do CPR and I know how to work an AED.

And maybe we could cover some paramedic patches from this thread with an "MD" sticker and overinflate their egos more....Wait is that possible?

Maybe we should start by getting rid of all those skills-poaching paramedics who aren't licensed. We could reduce the number of medics on trucks by actually requiring them to be more educated.

Well I'm glad that "society" trusts your opinion so much it would let you speak on its behalf. If it's authorized by medical control then it should be allowed. This is not something new, there are states that allow EMT-I's to push narcan. I think it's a good idea, especially for services who don't have a paramedic for every truck.

Hammer, looks like your correct on this one. I would personally rather deal with some effects of opiate withdrawal if my patient actually had a chance at breathing on his own. Naloxone (Narcan) Class: Narcotic antagonist. Actions: Reverses effects of narcotics. Indications: Narcotic overdoses including the following: Codeine, Demerol, Dilaudid, Fentanyl, Heroin, Lortabs, Methadone, Morphine, Paregoric, Percodan, Tylox, Vicodin, synthetic analgesics, Overdoses including the following: Darvon, Nubain, Stadol, Talwin, alcoholic coma, To rule out narcotics in coma of unknown origin. Contraindications: Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to the drug. Precautions: Should be administered with caution to patients dependent on narcotics as it may cause withdrawal effects. Short-acting, should be augmented every 5 minutes. Side Effects: none. Dosage: 1-2 mg. Routes: IV, IM. ET (ET dose is 2.0-2.5 times IV dose). Pediatric Dosage: < 5 years old > 5 years old 0.1 mg/kg 2.0 mg.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a basic who wants to stay a basic. Some are really good basics. They've mastered the skill and they want to stay at that cert level. Some choose to go on to the next level because they got tired of giving 02 and taking blood pressures. However, just because you become a basic does not mean you should be pressured into advancing your cert level since that's what other people do. Yeah, it's really neato to start intubating and sticking IVs at the Intermediate level, but you have to also be prepared to take on a leadership role. If you're on a truck without a paramedic - it's just you and the basic - guess what, you're the lead on the truck. There are basics who go through Intermediate who do well in the class, but don't test at that level because they're not ready for that leadership role. But if they're awesome basics, then what is that hurting? They're smart people who do their job well. I do agree that no matter what cert level you are, but especially basics, should have additional training such as BTLS, PHTLS, etc. to expand their knowledge base and to be a better EMT. I know a couple people who went on to paramedic for the money and the special letters at the end of their name, but they have no business being paramedics. They suck at basic patient care and they're afraid to push drugs when they should be.