Recent content by AMF

Hi All, I'm entering my last semester of college and am applying to jobs. It seems like the Dallas market for EMTs is pretty oversaturated, but I have a relatively limited view -- I've just had difficulty getting summer jobs. Would having a college degree (BS, non-EMS) and 3 years of...

Nice to see another Mainer. Patient was transported to cmmc, due to proximity. That's an interesting anecdote. We probably should have called medical control. Regarding the EKG, I think the patient was definitely having a heart attack. What would the EKG have told you re: management of...

So 67 yo male falls off a ladder, 12' or so, somewhat witnessed by wife. He's got wicked cp (10/10) and sob which he says originated before the fall. Chest pain radiates to his lower jaw. He reports drinking, denies drugs, meds, allergies. Reports family history of cardiac problems, dad was...

So, I'm learning about how doctors make competence determinations in school, and it struck me that I couldn't think of particular criteria that EMS uses for competence. I looked it up in my protocol book and couldn't find anything, and my service doesn't have a particular protocol about it...

In Maine we have rule-outs which work pretty well but they throw around the term "significant" (with reference to mechanism of injury) which literature doesn't really support. The modified CN exam works pretty well though, and it's definitely saved us from a lot of grief.

That surprises me. I thought they were ~ I99s. Can 85s normally intubate and give medication? I was under the impression that the only substantial intervention the 85 level added was fluid therapy.

My state, which currently has I99, is still working out its AEMT scope. To you who are currently taking AEMT, does your scope allow for medication with OLMC?

Oh, it's not that bad. I live in the middle of nowhere and I work 100 hrs a week and live perfectly well off.

I don't know about New England, but down here even doctors are covered by Good Samaritan if they don't intend to bill. I think the hesitation stems from planting the idea in the patients head. I know in New Hampshire if you have a star of life on your car (even a decal) you have to stop and...

It's important to understand that there are rules for these kinds of things which of course vary from place. The "provider before patient" rhetoric they teach you in school for scene safety applies to treatments as well, and your protocols are (should be) designed to accomodate the practice of...

Well I wouldn't say that, necessarily... if you're under excess duress, you're not helping your patient, but those of us w/o emergency vehicles can't really afford to walk. I would say, though, once you approach the scene, walk. Take some time to put on your gloves and go through your scene...

+1. P/P systems are very hard to maintain. They are possible here in Maine, because our health care is subsidized, but the patients' bills can get pretty ridiculous. Basics make the US EMS system feasible (I don't fit into this category, if you're wondering) and, as a method of giving...

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man. In all seriousness, I've certainly come to appreciate being an EMT. If you mean adcoms won't appreciate it, I'll admit that many pre-health students have certifications in EMS or pharm, but it definitely hurts not to have it. Or so I'm told.

By don't know, do you mean not properly/officially trained? I've never heard of an EMT CME class covering physicals (although I haven't taken PHTLS yet, and I suspect they might do something like that)

That myriad of neurological exams is what I was talking about. Not in my scope, so I can't write it in a run report or anything, but good to know nonetheless. Who do you think I'm at a disadvantage compared to? Myself if I wasn't EMT-B? I think that's doubtful. I think I've made it...