nypamedic43

As much as we want to believe that all of us behave in a manner that is nothing but on the highest level of professionalism...this kind of thing gives us all a blackeye. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/connecticut-paramedic-acc_n_1190718.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D125570

Thought and prayers to the families.

I apologize for anything that I might have said that might have been offensive. I only spoke my mind...however in retrospect, instead of being harsh, I should have offered private conversation and help. That's on me...not anyone else and I own that. I'm glad you've decided to stick around.

Sterling, go to the OP's profile. Up at the top right corner there is a button that says "find content" click on that and every thread is there to peruse.

Hi again Sterling!

wow...just wow. I really like that reporter..calls it like he sees it and doesnt mince words. I hope Detroit listens and gets thier EMS system the equipment it needs.

My posts were deleted as well but I am not bothered by that. I didnt call names or anything like that, which, I am actually kind of proud of myself for lol! As for "Whats wrong with some poeople?" Who knows really. Maybe they are tweaked at the way someone treated tham that day or they blame thier fathers for all of thier woes. Dwayne, I, like you choose to look for the good in people. And there are times when I am truly shocked by what people can do to each other. Some of them I dont want to delve into too much...'cause I probably would have nightmares for the rest of my life.

wow Scotty...thats alot to put on a 6 year old. BUT, by walking her through some of it, it will reduce her fear if the "just in case" happens, which I pray that it doesnt. You're kinda young to be going through something like this. Prayers and good thoughts coming your way

What increased education standards? The curriculum for paramedicine is about the same all over the country. The clinical hours required run about the same as well. The program I went through hasnt changed in 10 yrs, which is why I took those 2 extra classes. How can we say that we are healthcare professionals when we cant keep up with whats necessary? We are smart individuals but to be honest I think that the paramedicine curriculum should be 2 years minimum plus clinicals. I shared an article with this forum that I thought was interesting. Why should I have to prove anything with studies? There is A LOT of room for improvement in EMS, theres no denying that. I, like a lot of people, sit back and say "oh let the next person try to make change. I dont have the time to do it, so I will leave my future in someone elses hands" But I truly think that our future in the field of pre-hospital medicine should be in OUR hands not left with lawmakers and the fire depts. All I am saying is maybe...just maybe, we should get off our asses and take EMS where it needs to go. A seperate, recognized, highly trained profession.

Now that I have a bit of time to sit down and formulate my thoughts...here goes. 1. I dont believe that education should be a local or state issue. I think that all states should be at comparable level. Between clinical time and didactic time, my course was 650 hours. Not enough time was spent on physiology or pharmacology. I took extra classes in those for myself so that I understood things better. I also think that national testing should be a higher standard, not the minimum that they test at now. 2. We all work for a living. We have to pay our bills. I dont think any of us merit $100K a year but I do think we should make more. And no Obama will NOT get us there. 3. I agree with this one. 4. I agree with this one as well. And no Obama-care will not fix anything. It will make things worse. Thats why it was repealed. 5. I also agree with this one. If we dont commit ourselves to demanding excellence of ourselves, how can we expect anyone else too. If people are used to providing mediocre pre-hospital care how do we get them to step up to the plate and get to where they provide excellent care 100% of the time? Well, the way I see it is this way...our employers must demand it of us. But I think they also need to provide the tools for us to get there. As for 2 things that my service has changed in 2011? The state of NY requires quarterly skills review. 12 skills. Our service implemented a monthly skills review with 34 skills. You go into a room with a preceptor and practice everything from how to give a shot to how to use a quik-trach. We also implemented a web based program for 12 lead EKG's, once we hit the send button, our 12 lead goes to the ED, the cardiologist on call's cell phone and the Cath lab itself. There are a couple other ones as well but those are the 2 biggest ones.

I use my iPad alot to get on here when I am working. I was only asked to use TapATalk once, the very first time I came to the site with it. I just access the site via the web like normal. Wish I had an answer for ya.

This is from EMS1.com. http://www.ems1.com/columnists/art-hsieh/articles/1210290-5-things-EMS-must-do-in-2012/

It is so easy to forget what we have. The things we take for granted...like soap and water and freedom to say what we want and worship who we want are things that some people have nor will ever know. It's quite humbling to know that. That something as simple ( to us) like soap and water is a luxery there. That females here are equal to men not subservient as they are there and in other places in the world. We have so much to be thankful for because of the sacrifices of those that have come before us, because of those that fight for freedom, and its a hard won war. Freedom won, which sits on a foundation of blood and sacrifice and pain. Here's hoping that the people of Afghanistan soon know what soap and water is like on a daily basis and that the freedoms that we enjoy here, are soon thier's as well. Happy New Year everyone....

I completely agree. There are no "just IFT's". They are going to a higher level of care or going home on hospice. Hospice transfers are the most difficult for me to handle. Mom passed of cervical/uterine cancer 6 yrs ago. The hardest part isnt usually the patient, they have come to terms with what is going on. It's the families of these patients that are having the most difficulty, as they are just starting to get a grip on the situation and have not yet accepted that the inevitable is coming. Kind and compassionate treatment of their loved one and a kind word to them goes so very far in helping them. Compassion and empathy are everything. Unstable medical patients going to a higher level of care are the most challenging. Assessments and constant monitoring only help hone your skills. There are a lot of people that can help you learn...if you listen, and there is LOTS of info on the site. Good luck and welcome to the city

I was just going to post this lol. I was also trying to find the thread from a bit ago to add it too. Alas....Happi is to quick for me

Welcome to the City Derek!

I dont know if they are or not Richard.

Again MCI triage protocols. These do not apply to single patients where they get a full trauma assessment. Not the very abbreviated and fast MCI triage tags of black, red, yellow and green.

Again I see a problem with this. Not everyone has a smart phone....or wants one. And what happens, if it is an accident, and the thumb drive is damaged or the service doesn't have a computer to plug it into on their ambulance or the er won't allow them to plug it in there. Again, if it's an older person, they wouldn't necessarily have access to a computer to do this type of thing on. If their family does it for them, there is still no guarantee that they will have it on them. I'm not trying to be a doubter, I'm just throwing out some possible reasons that, even with the best of efforts, you still won't have access to needed info.

I'm still confused as to what trauma "triage" protocols he is referring to. As mobey and DFIB have pointed out, triage in trauma referrs to an MCI and determining immediate life threats. And, as has also been pointed out, everyone has different protocols.

We had a fatal motorcycle accident Friday night....not sure what happened to make this guy wreck his bike but he came off of the bike and went head first into a telephone pole and no witnesses to the crash. He was dead right there. He was a John Doe until yesterday as he had no ID on him. Sometimes you just dont get the info that you need in these cases. I wish you luck with this...its a solid idea that can help but the trick is getting people to use them.

Loss of consciousness changes treatment plans. A positive LOC could mean a concussion. A coup-contra coup injury that causes LOC could mean a bleed in the brain or a brain injury that could cause swelling of the brain. It isnt an obsession or being stuck on the the concept of LOC...its a conscious effort by professional health care providers to be ahead of the game in a treatment plan. To what trauma "triage" protocols are you referring to? Asking about LOC is one of the first questions we ask in the case of trauma. Even if there is no evidence of injury.

I love this concept and it's something that I do with almost every patient. An "I hope you feel better soon" or "I'll check on you later" goes along way. Sometimes call volume doesn't allow me to check back later but I almost always tell them to feel better soon.