Recent content by MikeC

Just got licensed at the end of March of this year. The key is getting with a company that is going to bring you along and realize you are not going to be running as someone that has been for 20 years. School is good but orientation hasn't even begun yet. You know something but at the same...

Thank you. In our area, we have a vastly proportional elderly population. So Medicare/Medicaid imbursement rates is important information to know. We are your infamous "rust belt" that has only the elderly, their kids who didn't move out of the area for whatever reason, and their kids (so...

In the rural area I'm at EMTs are in short supply. Jobs are readily available. Now that rate starts out at $9.50/hour, and would be as a part-time or "casual" employee. So far out of 12 students in the last EMT class, 4 have their EMT certifications and 1 (me) is actually working in EMS. Many...

http://pehsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/EMS-Provider-Scope-of-Practice-08-28-15.pdf Pennsylvania checklist which is easy to read for all the different levels

First off, if you're running in Pennsylvania with the Advanced EMT level, I'd love to hear more about it (the business model, dispatch, reimbursement, etc). I run as an EMT-B for a service in a county that has both a lack of paramedics and a large coverage area. Actually, as many EMS agencies...

No insulin would have to be given at the ER. I don't know of any ALS that carries it either.

our area draws blood just about every time a catheter is inserted by every company locally.

Passing the class in of itself was pretty much a gimmie if you showed up. Passing the psychomotor and NREMT exams not so much. out of a class of 12 completed at the end of February, only 3 of us have passed so far. Many have failed the NREMT exam specifically.

Our area is hiring EMTs. The one company is starting out at $9/hour. I'm currently getting $9.50. Another company starts at $10/hr. I'm working pretty much every weekend at the moment. Currently working scheduled 65 hours a week in EMS and outside. Working in EMS is great, but I don't...

I was thinking mostly cardiac arrest, which could be d/t something underlining that was "missed" as you pointed out. Potential CVA included in that, so impacting the neurological ultimately. Who knows. It'd be interesting if the OP got feedback from staff on it.

Crackles/rales suggests pulmonary edema, which is often caused to left-sided CHF (which is unsure if she has this dx from what's posted here). The ekg could read normal with CHF. With that low of a BP, I'd place in the semi-fowler position and elevate the legs using pillows/blankets. I'd try...

correction no glucose should be administered, and insulin not glucagon would be indicated.

something so sudden with all vitals wnl suggests something cardiac related.

I think recent surgery with s/s of cardiac chest pain w/ high resp rate and Pulmonary Embolism comes to mind. Load and go to facility that has thrombolytic therapy. Looks like possible ST depression? Either way, it doesn't look good. Give O2 via CPAP, place in a semi-fowler position if...

Ok so Ketoacidosis is the field dx. I'd call for ALS if available to meet en route who would most likely administer Glucagon or D-50. EMT administers oral glucose while en route to closest hospital.