Recent content by wdballer2431

Always good to hear what an ED MD and former medic has to say. I agree with you on this! Thanks

You make a great argument and some solid points Tigger. I appreciate the input on this thread.

Well said Rocketman, I agree. Rescue1 transport times would be 5-20minutes. I understand that s1q3t3 is not very specific for PE. But back to my original question. It sounds like Tigger is not comfortable triaging a chest pain to BLS regardless or age, onset, history, risk factors, vital signs...

Thanks for the advice. I've been trying to study an hour or two each day for the next few weeks along with some practice exams. I would consider my experience average. I'm 29yo and began in EMS at 19, working BLS for a few years and got my medic in 2010. Worked for AMR in Brockton, MA for 6...

Correct on Lowell. I agree with the term aggressive. Massachusetts is pretty limited on scope of practice for most EMS regions unfortunately. The exception being Boston, Worcester, Lowell, and Lawrence. They are also pretty selective in whom they hire, especially per diem/part time. As a full...

I don't know much about KCM1, and I am far from being butt-hurt about BEMS. I don't work for them nor am trying to get hired by them. However, I do have friends that work there. I work metro Boston for a private ambulance company that does 911 for approximately 12 communities. I think most...

I am not debating that there are multiple sources of chest pain. Where does the ALS provider make a difference in chest pain patients other than STEMI? Especially very low risk patients based on their age, medical history, cardiac risk factors, and stable vital signs. Should abdominal pain...

I think you read that wrong. I stated that the patient DID NOT have those symptoms. I said that patient had STABLE vital signs. RR 16, 02 sat 99%, BP 122/80, HR 80, skin p/w/d for example. If I did have a patient with those signs and symptoms then I would obviously be concerned for a large PE...

Thanks for the reply VentMonkey. I do agree with you on the index of suspicion. In the above scenario I mentioned other things other than just age.I also specified medical hx, risk factors, and the 32yo pt have stable vitals signs. While sharp chest pain can present as a PE, I'd expect to see...

What is everyone's take on chest pain in young patients when working in a tiered EMS system. I am trying to get a job in an ALS intercept system that covers a large population with a limited amount of ALS providers. Not talking about the 20yo female that is hyperventilating and anxious or the...

Like abckidsmom wrote, CO is a very standard abbreviation, especially in the context of how I used it. Maybe we shouldnt use Bp or Hr because those might be too complex for everyone to understand. Medicine has endless amounts of abbreivations, so stop harping on it when I write one.

I agree with the trachael deviation being a late sign. Better signs to look for would be tachypnea, absent lung sounds, and hypotention due to pressure in the plueral cavity:rolleyes: causing a decrease in CO. Once again, sorry to anyone I offended with abbreviations, it is a forum not a job...

With that gsw being right in the area where u would typically decompress

To Smash, I'mtyping on a phone. Don't see what's wrong with a few abbreviations. My question was having a gsw to the anterior chest with signs and symptoms if a tension pneumo. Would it be best to decompress as close to that area as possible?

What r u guys thoughts on penetrating trauma to the area of the 2nd/3rd intercoastal space with signs and symptoms of a tension. Best area to decompress. Also 3 or 4 sided occulsive dressing to the posterior with penetrating trauma to that area only. No exit wound on anterior chest. Most likely...