Rezq304

Either Saliva's "Click Click Boom" or Molly Hatchett's "Flirtin' With Disaster".

Once again thanks CHBare. Yes, I feel that I've worked hard and actually went above and beyond my program when I felt it necessary. Luckily, I'm one of those people that has to know WHY things happen rather than just knowing what will happen. i'm big into Pathophysiology. unfortunately, I have not yet gotten to attend an A/P class other than your basic intro level, but I definitely plan of working one into my curriculum on my way to a Bachelor's in EMS. I must say though, i found Biology to be VERY useful, even if at first it didn't seem as if it would apply to my field.

Just a little background into the program I'm attending. It is a two year associate's program toward Paramedic. EMT-I/99 is just a one year stop for those that feel they would benefit from the field experience. Also, I agree with Rid that Virginia's multi-level certification is diluting the work force with "cheaper labor" for lack of a better term. While I can understand that some people have reasoned to stop at I/99, I don't feel it is helping the workforce. Man, I feel like I'm just following behind Rid and beating the same drum. Anyway, back to point. EMT-I is a nice level to have, but it should not be the ultimate goal.

Anybody else from VA feel free to chime in here :wink: But here is something I found for Alexandria, VA..I don't agree with calling I/99's "paramedics" however they are known as "medics" in Virginia

"All Fire Department paramedics are required to maintain certifications that maintain their ability to perform state-of-the-art out-of-hospital care. Each paramedic is certified at the Virginia Emergency Medical Technician-Cardiac level (EMT-I/99) at a minimum and the majority are certified as a Nationally Registered Paramedic(NREMT-P). In addition, all paramedics are certified in American Heart Association Basic (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Life Support (PALS), Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS), and Pediatric Basic Trauma Life Support (PBTLS). Continuing medical education is provided for all EMS providers through the Fire Department Training Academy. Most of this education is supervised by medical specialists, such as nurses and physicians, from nearby hospitals."

There are various differences between I/99 & Paramedic levels in Virginia. I's can push the same meds that P's can, just requires order from medical control for some drugs in certain situations and usually these drugs are 4th and 5th line treatments. The biggest difference that I have heard of is in the skill set. I know that P's are capable of placing a Foley catheter in Virginia (although the majority of the trucks don't carry them). Also, surgical airways are a Paramedic skill set.

"Any moron with a pack of matches can start a fire. Raining down sulfur takes a huge level of endurance. Mass genocide is the most exhausting activity one can engage in, next to soccer."

That would be "Dogma".

Bill: And how would you beat him?

Bob: With a stick. While he slept. But on a horse, with a lance? That man is unbeatable.

Yeah me too.

Did we miss something?

Peace,

Marty

:joker:

See Global Announcement at the top of this forum. That should answer your questions.

OK, please forgive me. I had a link to aa story I wanted to share the other night but the sever was down. Now I can not find the story and it is driving me nuts.

Anyways, I can not recall which state it was, however they are proposing allowing/hiring EMT-Is to start the IVs and push the drugs on the inmate's death day. It seems they are having trouble hiring and keep anesthesiologists who have been doing it for years as required by the previous law. They will still have a doctor on hand to declare official death, but they think this will help by eliminating some of the docs ethical and moral dilemmas.

The quote was "they are trained to do IVs, so why dont we use them".

How do you feel about this...and if anyone finds the article, please post it.

Edit: I found the story..it was jems.com

http://www.jems.com/news/111464

So, do they not consider that EMT's have ethics & morals? This is a slap in the face. this would be the time I'd walk out and let the doctor do what he's technically there for.

God and I are buddies....

My sentiments exactly.

I disagree with your comparison of fire and arrests. Fires happen less because the fire department educated the public, used technology to minimize risk (sprinklers, alarms, and building code -- along with inspections), and forced changes in standards. If EMS did the same for cardiac arrest, the numbers would improve (more CPR taught -- taught the warning signs of MI, pass ordinance that any new business that is over 2000 sq ft or employee more than 50 persons must have an AED installed)

Most communities and hospitals already stand in the pulpit and preach about MI's and what the causes and risks are. Yes, early detection and intervention will help, but in all reality, until the American society starts taking better care of themselves as far as their lifestyle goes, I fear we could be fighting a losing battle.

Ace man, that was AWESOME! YOU ROCK! LMAO!

Breathe via laryngoscopy and ET tube, or DIE....I'll take breathe every time thank you....

ACE

Yeah, I'm with Ace on this one. Our procedure is a mixture of above listed. We have a mix of disposables and conventional metal blades. The disposable replacement is obvious. For the traditional blades, we exchange them out at the hospital, at which point they soak them, then autoclave.

How is a seizing gravid overdue Female PATIENT NOT AN EMERGENCY!?!?!?!?!?!!?

I was wondering the same thing myself Ace. :shock:

For the record...

Fo Sho!!!

Dedicated

that can't focus

I walk up to her, in a very consoling manner, "Ma'am, it's ok, last time I checked they didn't put the brain matter back in." The Dr. walked up to me and said "thanks, I didn't want to be the one to break it to her, Time of death....."

LMAO!!!

All patients are cooperative... right up to the point where they become suddenly and violently uncooperative without warning.

Sorry, doughnut boy. If you are "uncomfortable," I am ten-times that. If it ain't safe for you, then it damn sure ain't safe for me. Your purpose is not to catch the guy after he kills me. Your purpose is to protect me from him in the first place. Either you ride, or you transport in your caged car.

NOTE: "Doughnut boy" and "you" are used in referring to the cop in the scenario. They are not a reference to you personally.

Dust, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Third lecture.

Acetamenaphine: Why to NOT use it

were glaringly obvious

Toned to local nursing home for a "full code". After hauling tail to get to the other end of the county, we find the patient sitting up and talking to the nursing staff. Apparently, the dispatcher had mistaken what the nurses told her. The nurses apparently told dispatch that the pt was a "full code" (no DNR) as opposed to being in a "full code" situation.

MedFire, I know the feeling.

My screw-up like that was while still a student, doing practical observation time.

My first day at the squad, our first call, was a woman who tried to OD on... Advil.

Those are the best....especially the look on their face when they've been told that all they're doing is taking away some old age and possibly going to die a painful death as their liver decays.

No worries, just one of my anal tendencies coming out....

It's all good.....I know how that goes. :wink:

the nasty hairy

Oh, and on a personal note, I find it hard to imagine that an ems provider can only obtain a BP of 100/p....if you are taking the time to assess and treat your patient, please take the extra 15 seconds to obtain a diastolic pressure...MAP is very important for cerebral perfusion.

Flightmedic, I'm sorry....it's been a few days since I've ran this call and honestly off hand, do not remember the exact BP. I do remember taking a full BP though. I am sorry. For arguement's sake, we'll say the BP was 102/68

MedFire....I know the feeling. For some reason, I find it VERY hard to bring my self to be compassionate to someone that tries to take their own life, especially pharmacologically. Now, that's not saying I'll not render care as appropriate, just the commpassion is hard to find.

Chevy, you're right, the bigger the better in case you need to infuse blood products. I'm not sure what everyone elses protocols call for, but here where I'm at, the hospitals want nothing smaller than an 18-gauge used on a trauma pt.