GhostMedic28 Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Why would the oral glucose hinder you? It is a basic medication and all that was available to you. The oral glucose might become a hinderance if the patient is unable to swallow. If you administer an oral medication to a patient who otherwise is unresponsive or unable to swallow you risk causing an obstructed airway. For any hypoglycemic patient who exhibits the signs like what James described, D50 is almost always the best treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medic_ruth Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Instant glucose can be given in the buccal membrane, but like Ghost said, watch for the aspiration problem. Just a question for everyone.....In our area we carry glucagon IM shots for the times when we can't get a line. does anyone else and if so how do you like it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostMedic28 Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Yes, Glucagon has just been added to our protocols. Unfortunately it doesn't go into effect until Jan. 1, 2007. Until then.....well you know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPINFV Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Holy Crap...Both of us just finished EMT-I school and are waiting to test so we call the ER and ask for the Dr. So we can start a line and push some D50. Dr. is asleep!!!??? Tell them to wake him up then! I'm more concerned with this then you telling us that you "drove like crazy." What good is med com if the EMP isn't awake to give the orders? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Plain Ruff Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Yes I'd have told the ER to Wake him up too. Many ER's have docs who sleep but that doesn't preclude them from waking the doc up for orders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stretchermonkey Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Just a question for everyone.....In our area we carry glucagon IM shots for the times when we can't get a line. does anyone else and if so how do you like it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeEMTP Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 The oral glucose might become a hinderance if the patient is unable to swallow. If you administer an oral medication to a patient who otherwise is unresponsive or unable to swallow you risk causing an obstructed airway. For any hypoglycemic patient who exhibits the signs like what James described, D50 is almost always the best treatment. I agree D50 is the better treatment, but since they weren't able to give it, the oral glucose might have been indeed indicated, since it was the only medication they could give. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_ffemt Posted September 20, 2006 Author Share Posted September 20, 2006 Yes...It was a figure of speech....We transported rapidly to the hospital...I understand the only medication I was able to give was oral glucose but was afraid of aspiration...With a level of only 27 it was to me a matter of time before he went unresponsive...didn't want to chance it...As far as waking the Dr. up....I won't go there...she's a bi.ch...it would have taken longer to get her up and on the phone than it was worth...we got the gentleman to the hospital and staff started an IV and administered the D50 and the Dr. was still not out of bed....joys of working with some rural er's. I to agree that we all sometimes read a little to much into these things...I am glad I didn't receive the same response as the last post and yes I was a little hesitant before posting this one. Any who....thanks for all of the responses... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Plain Ruff Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 sounds like you did the right thing. I'm glad the guy did ok. I understand the dr. issue too. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eshumaker Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 We carry glucagon and I've used it 3 or 4 times with positive results every time. Usually used with combative patients who won't take the oral or allow the IV...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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