KingCountyMedic
Forum Lieutenant
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The production notes show the video was produced with GoPro cams and some standard HD cameras. Those aren't video feeds from in the trucks.
I was impressed with how good it looked until Dr Copass said, "we want people who can shut up and take orders". And bragging about the ability to perform RSI and Central lines?
Taking orders and RSI, one can build a strong argument and data to support.
What is the education of your Medic One? Associate or Bachelors degree?
The clip made it seem you come in as an EMT and in 10 month you are entry level Medic One. It even stated in the video you do not need a college education just to learn on a college level.
KCM1, Im sorry, but that does not look like anything other than Kool-Aid. Aside from ensuring that most of your patients who could benefit from ALS never see a paramedic, your own video showcases 1989's finest patient care, touts the ability to perform highly controversial techniques with little proven clinical value and emphasizes rote learning over education.
I do think the Harborview educational model is superior, but the KCM1 system looks like a horrible one to have anything other than a cardiac arrest in.
I was wondering this also. Could you clarify the education requirements? At one point it says no college education is required.
What does this sentence mean?
Who needs pain control? Didn't you see the video? The only things KCMO does is CPR except for the occasional GSW, cric, or central line.
I don't understand how they cover such a large area with only 8 medic units. I understand tiered systems but for an area that large with that population 8 units doesn't seem like enough and I've heard plenty of stories of patients that should be attended by an ALS attendant that end up getting turfed to BLS so the medic unit can stay in service.
They're running the same amount of medic units that Sussex County EMS runs and they cover a much smaller area with less population.
...I was impressed with how good it looked until Dr Copass said, "we want people who can shut up and take orders"....
Agreed. I'd rather work in a system that wants people who understand the science behind what they're doing and speak up when the "orders" don't make sense or aren't in the patient's best interests.
On a side note, I'm guessing that this thread isn't moving in the direction that KingCountyMedic expected..... :unsure:
On a side note, I'm guessing that this thread isn't moving in the direction that KingCountyMedic expected..... :unsure:
A bit standoffish if anything. Many of the complaints would be better phrased as a question as most of us are shooting in the dark
For example, instead of, "I love the central line placement with non sterile gloves, no masks, and what looks like no prep what so ever. But then again an ambulance is not even close to a clean let alone sterile environment to begin with."
We could try, "I noticed that the clip of the supposed central line placement showed IJ access without sterile precautions. What sort of setup do you follow when performing central lines? Is there any increase in CLABSI from EMS placed lines?"
We place IJ, subclavian, and Fem central lines. We use the Trauma Arrow Kit with sterile drape and sterile procedure and suture them in place. We are required to fill out Central line forms for every line placed in the field, same as we fill out airway form for every tube placed. A central line is to be placed only when we have a patient that has no other peri access available. We have recently started using the EZ IO as well and that has cut down on central line use a bit but we still do quite a few. We place them in cardiac arrest patients, trauma patients, anyone that needs one gets one. We are required to perform at least two a year for recert. Our complication rate is very low, as is our infection rate. We are trained in placing central lines with sterile technique by trauma surgeons at Harborview Medical Center. All lines in King County are yanked if the patient is admitted, especially central lines started in the field unless there is no other line to be had. We are required to document everything we do, every IV, central line and ET tube placed is reviewed that week by our medical director. If you screw up you will hear about it usually in less than 24 hours. I have placed many central lines in awake patients, local lidocaine prep and sterile tech used of course. We do a lot of stuff here that isn't done in a lot of places.