Acosell

It's NOT my protocol, sorry for the confusion. My protocol says that I can take a blood sugar for any patient that is exhibiting signs or symptoms that MAY be related to a POSSIBLE glucose problem.

For some reason though, if I take a blood sugar on a patient with a GCS of 15, I get a "Minor Error" on my ACR and that goes on my record.

30% Dixie, I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.

I forgot to mention with Pt. 1, he claimed he had not eaten in 2 days.

Anyway, the reason I ask is because I took a blood glucose on both of these patients, as is allowed in my protocol. The problem is Base hospitals right hand doesn't know what it's left hand is doing. This creates a situation in which I can take a blood sugar if I have any reason whatsoever to suspect it may be low, but base hospitals other hand says no CBG unless the GCS is less then 15.

I plan on following my protocol and checking CBG on patients that are exhibiting signs that could possibly be related to a glucose problem, but many of these patients have a GCS of 15. My dilemma is this.

I can A: follow my protocols, take the sugar, document it on my ACR, then get dinged on the BH audit, or

I can B: follow my protocols, take the sugar, and falsify the ACR and live life happy, or

I can C: not take the sugar, not follow my protocols, and get screwed anyway.

I choose path A because I WILL NOT falsify a form, and as for witholding a test that could reveal additional info on my patients condition doesn't jive with me.

Any advice? From my point of view, I get screwed no matter what.

Back to the original topic, my base does between 700-1000 calls a year. In the last 24 hours I've done 4.

Situation 1:

Pt. complaining of sharp 4/10 chest pain worsening on inspiration which completely resolves with oxygen admin. He then complains of dizzyness and general weakness in his arms. Would you take a sugar?

Situation 2:

Pt. was at work and began to feel very light headed. Pt. sat down and rested immediately, but still feels a little bit dizzy. Would you take a sugar?

Neither patient has a Hx of diabetes, either personal or family.

I stand by my original statement.

Yours truly,

Hammer

I'll also stand by that.

-Another NW Ontario Paramedic

Nice to meet you, the name's Fruit Loop.

I was killed by medical negligence.

Crap.

In reference to the actual outcome of scenario 1: People died a lot

That's all you can tell us?

V-Vac is garbage, but as a back up, it's better than nothing.

I also had to learn LMA in PCP school. I've only heard of it being used in one service--Simcoe County--which is all BLS. LMAs are part of their protocol for VSA patients.

BLS Transport - $45

ALS Transport - $45

Helicopter Transport - $45

Inter Facility Transfer - $0

Public health care pays for the rest.

What about EMT and LEO? or PCP/ACP/CCP and FF? and so on and so forth

I've seen radio/remote controlled lights that are very close to bases, usually the first light in the most used direction, but other then that, it's a giant crazy intersection free for all.

I don't chew or smoke.

Just checking out something I've noticed amongst some EMS personell. Do you wear your watch on your dominant hand or non-dominant hand?

School uniform consists of Tac pants with Scotchlite stripe. Shirts are either mock neck with "Paramedic" embroidered on the collar, Golf shirt with school crest, or button down shirt with school crest in place of arm patch and "Student Paramedic" epaulettes.

First Responder

Primary Care Paramedic student in Ontario Canada.

Same here