EMTuKnowMe

Ralph Lakeshore. Come and git it

Once you ask the question in Spanish to the spanish speaking patient vis a vis your program, how will the EMT/Medic be able to understand the answer given by the spanish speaking patient?

Has anyone used this machine in a real cardiac arrest case? If so, can you please describe the experience? Are there any drawbacks to its use? Thank you.

The fact that EMTs are so far underpaid is beyond question. But, I just wanted to add something here to think about... If you don't like what you are doing and get paid a lot of money for it, sooner or later your discontent will take its toll on you and your family. You will grow resentful. Perhaps more important is the fact that your children will be affected by your unhappiness and frustration. On the other hand, if you WANT to be an EMT, and you really ENJOY being an EMT, then be an example to your kids by showing them that its ok to pursue a dream; that its great to be able to help someone who really needs it; and that its better to be happy in life than miserable. Good luck to you, and be safe.

What is considered "proper etiquette" in terms of an EMT-b relinquishing scene control/command if a higher level EMT happens upon the scene? And what is the proper way for the higher level EMT to assume control? I feel that in non-emergent situations, where the skill level required is at the BLS level, the higher level EMT should assume an observatory, supervisory position, hopefully to offer constructive criticism later. However, what about in cases that are more urgent, such as, perhaps, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, or the like? Thank you, in advance, for any thoughts.

Many thanks to all who have replied. I appreciate the insight all of you have to offer.

know of one fixed wing program that uses EMT-I's occasionally when an extra set of hands are needed (i.e. specialized transports or lengthy intercontinental flights), Thank you very much for your informative and timely reply! I hope to take the next step in my EMT education by becoming an EMT-I shortly. Would you be so kind as to offer the contact info of the program you are referring to? Thanks again.

I am an EMT-b. I know there are volunteer organizations out there such as Angel Flight and the like that transport, via air, patients in need. I would like to volunteer my time as an EMT to patients with a need for air transport. I live in Long Island, NY, but I am open to any opportunity that doesnt keep me away from home for too long. Does anyone know of such an opportunity? Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions.

As an EMT-b in NY, you cant "administer" any drug, other than something like oxygen. Rather, you can only "assist" the patient with medication that has already been prescribed. What do your local protocols say?

Can you actually puff nitro?

Um, exactly how old is the eye candy? You kinda sound like a pedifile.

If I go the reciprocity route, I will definitely post about my experiences. However, I am trying to AVOID having to go through the red tape of applying for reciprocity, and just take the NY state examination. There are others with whom I work that have already expressed their doubts as to whether my education is on par with that given by the New York State system, and they see reciprocity as a back door loop hole. In any event, I thank everyone responding to my post, and for the links referenced. Be safe, everyone.

Hello, all, Does anyone out there know whether someone can take the NY EMT-b exam after taking the appropriate CPR/AED course from the AHA (and obtaining a valid certificate for it) and completing an EMT course that is NOT GIVEN IN NY, BUT RATHER IN ANOTHER STATE, and having completed clinicals in that other state as well? I have called several NY State EMS places about this question, but I cannot seem to get a return call. Thanks, in advance, for any help.

Is anyone familiar enough with both exams to give an accurate comparison of the two with respect to difficulty, topics covered, etc? Thanks.

Are you SURE that your umbrella policy will cover you for your EMS activities? I would really be interested in the insurance company that issues such a policy, and the exact language in their policy that says that they will cover you for EMS activities. Usually, such policies state the exact opposite. I have an umbrella policy with Nationwide, and I know that they do not cover my EMS activities. Thanks.

I can tell you that I have seen it with doctors working for New York City hospitals, where the City has gone after the doctors for reimbursement of what the City had to pay out. Moreover, I have seen the City of New York many times try to avoid its responsibilities to defend the doctors that work for them under the premise that the individual doctor's actions were "gross negligence" that the city was not responsible for, or "intentional", which should be read as "utter crap". In my humble opinion, here is the bottom line: You're human; the chances that you will make a mistake exist; the chances that such a mistake will cause someone injury exist; if I am the guy that makes the mistake, I will hold myself accountable (as I think every EMT should), and I would expect the injuried person to hold me accountable; and, ultimately, I would WANT the injured party to be able to recover money, if that would somehow help them deal with the injury that I hypothetically caused. Insurance is just a necessary evil... just like taxes and funeral bills.

Thought this might be interesting reading..... http://www.merginet.com/admin_management/l...gligentPCRs.cfm

Respectfully, I disagree with those who say that malpractice insurance is not a wise decision. For the most part, your job, your municipality, or whomever you are working for, will cover you AS LONG AS YOU STAY WITHIN PROTOCOL. If you are found to have deviated in the slightest bit from protocol, then you are not covered. Now, it is easy to say that you will always follow protocol, but, whether your action was or was not within the boundaries of protocol may not be up to you. Rather, it may be the subject of a court finding itself. We are all human... if you think that you are beyond making any errors or omissions, however innocent, on a call sheet, then dont get any insurance at all. If you are not a robot, then get insurance that will cover you if you are found to have gone outside of protocol. You might want to check out www.ashinstitute.com/ or others out there like http://www.hpso.com/ for a quote. The prices are not exorbitant. The danger in not obtaining insurance is that a judgment can be entered against you, which will in fact destroy your credit rating and make things like buying or selling a house for you really difficult. The same type of coverage will protect you while you are driving the bus too. The premiums are a small price to pay for comfort. And I dont wish for anyone reading this to make a mistake, but certainly it is something that is possible for ALL of us to do. If such a mistake leads to an injury, and having insurance enables that injured person to get back towards what he/she was before the injury, then how can the insurance be a bad thing?