MedicNorth

Hey folks Over the past year I have been working at stations that are extremely rural, as in buried at the end of a road that has no exit. Some of these are in communities that nominally have hospitals with ERs, but they are not designated trauma centres by any stretch, and one of the stations is in a community with no hospital, no Doc, no clinic, and is 150 kms away from the nearest hospital. Very few of the roads are paved, and northern gumbo is nasty stuff. As a result, transport times are often in the 2 hour range, and every call is a minimum of three hours unless there is a refusal or DOA.If the pt requires higher level care, we are often on the road for ten hours or more per call. I am curious if there are other places besides Northern Alberta with similar conditions. and how you deal with this, including the boredom in the back for the attendant and the patient, or the stress of treating/transporting a red or a yellow in a BLS unit for that length of time.

Haha - I knew there was a reason for my grouchiness, and I am clearly so blessed that I have a halo!

Very sad news. Condolences to his family and co-workers.

Interesting read, Squinter. I know that you have been very involved in trying to make some changes there, and have met with acute frustration. My point remains the same, though: until we actually get enough people from the trenches to get involved, nothing can possibly change. You are allowed to bitch about ACP - you have been there. I dont care how much it appears that it is a tool of the Conservative government.... if 100 people with a vision for change show up, it will be a different story. Yes, we do get what we deserve, my friend. Send two busloads of paramedics to the AGM, and watch the sparks fly! (BTW, some of my best friends are EMRs, lol)

I have to admit that I have done my share of complaining aimed at ACP, but my attitude has changed some most recently. Don't get me wrong - I still feel that it is an organization with no real use to practitioners in the province. The change in attitude is mostly that I think we may be getting exactly what we deserve. Face it, an organization that has no input and no support from its membership is highly unlikely to be able to respond effectively. AGMs are very poorly attended, for example - 30 to 60 people out of the thousands who could is a pathetic turnout. There are solutions, I think. Most of us say that we can't take the time to attend the AGM. This may be true, though I can't see any more than half of us being on shift at any given time. Life gets in the way too - lets assume that realistically only one in 10 of us can go. Well, that still means that 800 people should be at the AGM, right? There are other solutions to allowing practitioners input as well - including making the AGM completely online, in a forum/vote format. We are stuck with ACoP, whether we like it or not. Maybe a few more of us need to get in and do something about it, instead of sitting back and bashing it. I have a few more ideas, and possibly plans to run next year once this studenthood is finished. Anybody else got input?

I'll be there

I'd imagine the videos from the picnic are pretty good. 700 bucks per person is a LOT of beer and pretzels! I strongly believe in activities and functions that build teams, but this is ridiculous.

Whoa - I should get around here more often! Happy (late) Birthday, Terri! I hope you had a great one, working or not.

Wow... Freedom of speech is essentially entrenched in your constitution, but there are limits placed on it every day by the law, including libel, slander, and perjury. If this is interference by a "liberal" government to protect Americans citizens, I would assume the same kind of protection should be offered to children who have no voice in the matter. This is child abuse - plain and simple. Parents have the responsibility to protect and nurture their children, not use them to make political or personal statements. Would it be ok for to name your child "God is Dead" or "Dogfart" or even "America Sucks" Jones? These kids are doomed to years and years of harassment simply because of the labels they have been given, and by the time they are able to change them it will be far too late. I have a rather strong feeling that there are other issues involved here too, but in my (admittedly liberal) opinion, the names themselves give adequate reason for intervention. Kids, even kids of White Trash, deserve to at least start their lives without all three strikes against them.

This is exciting news! I always wanted to be a grandpa! Way to go, Jess, and congratulations to all three of you.

We let little kids bring their teddy bears, right? Anything that reduces stress on a patient, if it will fit and isn't dangerous (no pet tigers), why not let them bring it?

Hmmm - does this mean that Nat is finally legal? Happy Belated, Nattie

It sounds like each and every one of the people you are working with has some kind of axe to grind or a hidden agenda. Even this EMT partner who has asked that you be a permanent partner - is this the one who was gleeful at your issues in the beginning? From the MD to the partner, I would be constantly looking over my shoulder, worried that that dagger was going to go under my ribs any second. I agree with the majority here - this place may be calling you, but the risks towards your career are huge. Find a place that appreciates your talents and dedication.

Welcome Red - chances are you will get lots of conversation, but there are no guarantees that they will be adult or make sense! Glad to have you here - feel free to drop by in chat and visit.

To all the ghost, goblins, witches and other assorted creepies and crawlies - have safe night, and don't go anywhere dressed as a Firefighter!

Now how sad is that? Some guys are so old that they miss important days like this particular birthday. Sorry about that, Annie - Happy Belated Birthday, love you lots! (and the picture's in the mail, lol)

lol -I know it ain't me who is pregnant, and I am SURE I would recall if I was the daddy......

At this point there are only a few EMS services run the by the local health authorities. It will take a major switch in policy and focus for the entire system to be taken over by the "superboard". I'm not sure it is even possible. This being Alberta, however, almost anything is possible! Is that going to include air EMS like STARS? I'm not sure how well they would take becoming like the rest of the peons as civil servants either.....

Well, this thread seems to have brought out the turkeys.... Hope it was a good one, all!

Happy Turkey Day to our compatriots north of the 49th! May you find friends and family to share your good fortune with.

Thank you, Kaisu.

That was deja vu, all right. We have had a couple of similar incidents stemming from youth parties with huge bonfires during burning bans. We get called to put out the fire, and the kids don't much appreciate having their fires snuffed. Some scuffles have resulted. Police are called and must be in attendance now before we will consider going in. Opening up a hose at a drunken crowd might be tempting, but obviously is not a very clever thing to do. Obnoxious comments are something that simply have to be endured sometimes, especially when retaliation will likely make things worse.

We gotta pay money to see you do what you are best at anyways? Nice Gig! lol

leave it - is likely three of the aces - a massage in the shower