Coronavirus Discussion Thread

CALEMT

The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
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KingCountyMedic

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Anyone changing their airway practices? We are going to the iGel for Covid and full PPE required for any CPR or intubation regardless of situation.
 

Kavsuvb

Forum Captain
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I wonder how many EMT's, Paramedics, PA's, NP's, DO's and MD's do we have that can sustain this Pandemic in this country. I know we have some EMT's and Paramedics that are not affiliated with a EMS service or Vol EMS squad.

I have heard rumblings within DHS, HHS and DoD that they may activate the Military medical companies including the already PHS Commissioned Corp already on scene in Washington State. That means DMAT teams, US Army Corp of Engineers, State's National Guard and State Militias.

If many of you don't know what the PHS Comissioned corp, here's info

What is the USPHS and what does it do?
 

DesertMedic66

Forum Troll
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Anyone changing their airway practices? We are going to the iGel for Covid and full PPE required for any CPR or intubation regardless of situation.
As of yet we have not changed any of our airway practices aside from placing a HEPA filter on BVMs and not just our ventilators. CPAP/BPAP/Intubation/etc are all still approved.
 

cruiseforever

Forum Asst. Chief
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Now the cops are told to avoid EMS in my area. There has only been one case in our county. One would would think we have been rolling around in Fentanyl. We have always had a very positive relationship with them. But that is quickly heading down the tubes.
 

Jim37F

Forum Deputy Chief
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I saw a post on Facebook, apparently San Bernadino Co is rolling to every EMS call in full gowns and masks, regardless?

I'm honestly more worried about the idoitic panic buying people more than the virus itself... but now the Wall St people panicking is worrying me more than the people getting into first fights over TP, which is still more worrisome to me than the dang virus itself
 

Kavsuvb

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KingCountyMedic

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As of yet we have not changed any of our airway practices aside from placing a HEPA filter on BVMs and not just our ventilators. CPAP/BPAP/Intubation/etc are all still approved.
Yea, we have the filters too. I have heard a bit of talk about those with transport vents potentially loaning them out to hospitals if the need arises but it's just beanery table talk. I don't know of anyone doing so yet. As of right now we are seeing a ton more cases but it's just because we have the tests now. Death toll is rising but it's still just the very old/sick folks. I do know people that have it and they have said it is horrible but they haven't had to use any more TP than usual.

Love to hear others approach to running out of PPE. Stay safe everyone :)
 

SandpitMedic

Crowd pleaser
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I too have heard of the cytokine storm in young people who use NSAIDs for their COVID symptoms.
Looking for more data on that.
 

mgr22

Forum Deputy Chief
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I too have heard of the cytokine storm in young people who use NSAIDs for their COVID symptoms.
Looking for more data on that.

I thought NSAIDs such as ASA and ibuprofen were ineffective at preventing cytokine storms, as opposed to causing them. If that's the case, NSAIDS may still be more effective than APAP at treating mild s/s of COVID in some people. Here's a reference:


I'm no expert on this. Any thoughts?
 

GMCmedic

Forum Deputy Chief
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Post a link to that medical advice?
Not advice, just education. JG posted the link on NSAIDs that ACEP just shared, the rest came from the Indiana State Medical Director via facebook, including avoiding NSAIDs
 

Tigger

Dodges Pucks
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So one of the area services brings me a kid last night, zero symptoms of any communicable disease let alone covid 19.

They are wearing tyvek suits and have a particulate mask on. After they are done with report I asked them why they are dressed like glow worms, apparently they are wearing their type c suits to every call. In this whole thing all of them have touched their face at least once and haven't cleaned their hands a single time.

It's one thing to be cautious, but what they are doing has zero effectiveness.
Please tell me this is WM and not another agency already following suit.

As for airway procedures, we are not to intubate patients "at risk," and use iGels instead, this includes RSI. If you do any sort of airway procedure it's supposed to be with an N95 and other PPE, with the doors of the ambulance open and the exhaust vents on. I am ordering filters now because well, what a time to suddenly be in charge or ordering.
 

RocketMedic

Californian, Lost in Texas
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Please tell me this is WM and not another agency already following suit.

As for airway procedures, we are not to intubate patients "at risk," and use iGels instead, this includes RSI. If you do any sort of airway procedure it's supposed to be with an N95 and other PPE, with the doors of the ambulance open and the exhaust vents on. I am ordering filters now because well, what a time to suddenly be in charge or ordering.
Same here, but we don’t yet have the HEPA cartridges for the BVMs.
 

Mufasa556

Forum Captain
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Yesterday I watched an AMR crew try and staple their N95 back together since they’re only getting 1 a shift. Seems like things are going well out there.
 

SandpitMedic

Crowd pleaser
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So here is a news article of the WHO “officially” recommending a stop on NSAIDs for COVID patients. Apparently it was based on the French Health Ministry guidelines which were based on a study or article in the Lancet.

I was unable to corroborate the information on the WHO website.

 
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