I'm pretty sure what I'm going to do, but I want some input from other EMS providers before I make a final decision.
I'm a volunteer EMTB in Harford County, Maryland. We have two paid departments, however they are military governmental type agencies. We also have *some* paid EMS in various departments. That's neither here nor there, though.
My question is more complicated. When I started riding the ambulance, there was one paramedic that typically rode all the time. She's pretty old, was pretty much forced to retire from her job because of her age (she worked as a paramedic).
In the beginning when I was an in-experienced wide-eyed probie, I used to think that everything this paramedic did was right. Well, now that I've been through the training and have a bit of street experience, I have seen several instancees where she has done some pretty terrible things in my opinion.
Not even going into ALS skills I've witnessed her do wrong (since I'm not an ALS provider myself, I feel I don't have room to criticize), I've seen her do some basic skills (or in this case not do) that were completely wrong.
For instance, on a cardiac arrest, she never intubated the patient. 10 minutes on scene time (which was a bit much in my opinion in the first place), and 10 minute en route to the ER time. Never even got the equipment out. And I do believe that intubation falls under the letter A in the ABC acronym.....the first thing that should be maintained in all instances. It was even mentioned to her that air was not quite entereing the lungs, or the stomach for that matter, yet still no intubation. <_<
That's just one example of many things that I've witnessed that has quite disturbed me. What should I do? I know that in my volunteer service, we need as many ALS providers as possible, however, what she is doing is wrong and may even be detrimental the patients health (it's just not one of those obvious detrimental things).
I'm planning on writing to my EMS captain and Chief, however, I don't know if anything will be done about it since it is a volunteer service. You know, the whole "we're friends, right?" situation. A simple talking to and minor slap on the wrist and off you go type of deal. I don't think that's what needs to happen here....though I don't know exactly what *should* happen.
I'd appreciate any advice anyone can give me.
:unsure: Ray
I'm a volunteer EMTB in Harford County, Maryland. We have two paid departments, however they are military governmental type agencies. We also have *some* paid EMS in various departments. That's neither here nor there, though.
My question is more complicated. When I started riding the ambulance, there was one paramedic that typically rode all the time. She's pretty old, was pretty much forced to retire from her job because of her age (she worked as a paramedic).
In the beginning when I was an in-experienced wide-eyed probie, I used to think that everything this paramedic did was right. Well, now that I've been through the training and have a bit of street experience, I have seen several instancees where she has done some pretty terrible things in my opinion.
Not even going into ALS skills I've witnessed her do wrong (since I'm not an ALS provider myself, I feel I don't have room to criticize), I've seen her do some basic skills (or in this case not do) that were completely wrong.
For instance, on a cardiac arrest, she never intubated the patient. 10 minutes on scene time (which was a bit much in my opinion in the first place), and 10 minute en route to the ER time. Never even got the equipment out. And I do believe that intubation falls under the letter A in the ABC acronym.....the first thing that should be maintained in all instances. It was even mentioned to her that air was not quite entereing the lungs, or the stomach for that matter, yet still no intubation. <_<
That's just one example of many things that I've witnessed that has quite disturbed me. What should I do? I know that in my volunteer service, we need as many ALS providers as possible, however, what she is doing is wrong and may even be detrimental the patients health (it's just not one of those obvious detrimental things).
I'm planning on writing to my EMS captain and Chief, however, I don't know if anything will be done about it since it is a volunteer service. You know, the whole "we're friends, right?" situation. A simple talking to and minor slap on the wrist and off you go type of deal. I don't think that's what needs to happen here....though I don't know exactly what *should* happen.
I'd appreciate any advice anyone can give me.
:unsure: Ray