orangecrush

As a Reiki practitioner, I applaud you for making this post and thank you for the information. I have learned that not all healing is based on exact science and it is a plus to keep an open mind.

My Turn, Most of you who know me, know that I very seldom post. I read the sites to get new insite as to what is new out there, what issues are being brought to the front, and to learn new tips from others. My point in this post is not to bash providers from a state as a blanket statement. As I see, some providers from Va., did read this post. Good! Thats what I was hoping for. And for those of you who took offense, you will survive, trust me. If thats the first time you have been offended by a statement, stay in EMS a while longer, you will get used to it. Maybe someone who works with the ones on this call or even the providers themselves will see this and think twice next time! I know there are many good providers in our country as a whole and I am very proud of our chosen profession. What worried me the most about this was I feel that anywhere anyone is in this country, no one should ever worry about the care they or their family may recieve in an emergency. I have the same high expectations for hospitals and all health care providers! I am happy that you all read this and your input is appreciated. If nothing else, it got people thinking. Enough said. Be safe, OC

I need to rant about patient care or rather the (lack of it). When I travel with my friends, normally Fire/EMS is the last thing on my mind! I was in a hotel over the weekend at an event with about 200 people in attendance. Saturday afternoon I was told the spouse of an attendee had not felt well and went upstairs and proceeded to faint in his hotel room. The hotel staff called 911. I was asked to go check on him, but the EMS crew (1 paramedic and 1 EMT) were in the room, so I left. I trusted that he was in good hands, according to the big Paramedic and EMT letters on their shirts. Imagine my surprise when I met them coming out of the elevator with no patient, a stretcher with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope thrown on it. No other equipment of any sort. I am the last provider to ever bother providers in other areas, or to even care about what they are doing. However, this struck me wrong. Because of the way I was dressed, there is no way they could have known I was a paramedic and I certainly did not want to play "visiting provider." What ticked me off about this call was that I decided to ask the person that called 911, what the dispatcher was told. They told them, there was an unconscious subject located on the 7th floor in room *** and that an ambulance was required. They were not able to give any other information. Now is it me or if you were going to an unconscious subject, with unknown etiology and on the 7th floor of a high rise, would you take at least some equipment. I had a bad feeling when they came out of that elevator. Later I ran into the spouse who was the attendee and asked about the persons condition. They said, and I quote "the person didn't want to go, so the people got some paper signed and left." The spouse asked what I thought and I said I wouldn't second guess someone elses care, but I explained what to look out for and kindly suggested that they seek medical attention if he feels bad again. My hands were somewhat tied, due to my being in another state and unfamiliar with how things were done. They explained to me what happened and there was no question in my mind that if the scenario was presented in the same manner to the crew - more than a damn blood pressure cuff was needed. When I got to my room I told my roommate, that person will be in the ED by morning. 0200 hours he went to the ED. He has been admitted and is still in the hospital. Now come on guys - think about this - A BP cuff and a stretcher to an unconscious call. I blame the one in the Paramedic costume. Haven't we evolved from our "ambulance driver" roots. I have now added another area to my list of "where not to get sick or hurt". Unfortunately I now own property in that state. How comforting!! Thanks for letting me vent! oc

If everyone is curious - please read the Johns Hopkins University website on gynecology. More women experience this than what you may think. There are several new procedures that are alternatives to the "old hysterectomy cure". I encourage anyone with this to seek the JHU website for alternative therapies.