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Every time. They have a quick and dirty test that takes just a few minutes. There hasn't been a problem in our system that I heard but we did get a new lead pharmacist a couple years ago that is a bit paranoid about his license. His pharmacy, his rules. I don't mind the added security. If...

Back in class, and being in the part of the state where they mean Southern, the defib training line of "I'm clear, you're clear, everybody clear" became "I'm clear, you're clear, y'all clear" I still say "y'all clear?" before sparking the pt.....:blush:

BOO!!!!:beerchug:

My service keeps narcs in a narc box - tagged - locked in a drug box, locked in the drug cabinet. Used narcs are given to the pharmacist with copy of run sheet with tag attached, separate sheet that documents drug, amt used, amt to be wasted by pharmacist. Pharmacist tests the wastage to...

Here's a thought for discussion: we are required to take patients to the closest appropriate facility. What if "appropriate" involves a facility with available room in the ER?

Cell phones are handy. First reaction is use my cell phone to call my dispatcher to contact PD that we might have the shooter. Second call to the hospital to let them know what was up and have security waiting. Play it cool on the ride in while reviewing the policy, in choice words, of...

1. Any time we send a unit to cover a fire scene, there are always two additional units for the area, another two outside the area that can be shifted. For our call volume, it works. 2. EMS would unless the FD got yet another grant..... Some larger depts do this, the EMS service I work...

Yep. I annoy nurses when we roll into the ER and they ask, "what have you got there?" Deadpan response: "A patient"

BLSBoy, Agreed. We're getting co-oximeters in next year's budget....hopefully....if the money is there.....*sigh*

As to cold, all our protocols say is that the rehab area should be dry and warm and that hydration is just as important as during hot environments. Watch for frostbite in exposed or wet clothing areas, watch for hypothermia symptoms, get personnel into dry gear, etc.

Agreed. Palpate palpate palpate. Get fresh with the pt and feel 'em up.

After a call that left me frustrated because I couldn't get an IV, I had a nurse with 20+ years of experience once tell me that getting an IV was "20% skill and 80% blind-*** luck." You will have days of not being able to get the stick even if you used a smart cath with laser guided telemetry...

Here's an intro article from JEMS: http://www.jems.com/news_and_articles/columns/Becker/Emergency_Scene_Rehab_Operations.html We do quite a bit of rehab. To keep things simple, we throw a couple cases of bottled water/gatorade and a couple small fans in the back of the truck and head to...

Hey Mac. Southern Illinois is another fun place for meth calls and not just od's. I've had a house full of 6 kids, ages 1-5, exposed to meth from the kitchen lab, house fires from meth labs, a couple pts that were bending over their cooker when it went off in their face, a great call with a...

"It feels funny when I pee" That was the chief complaint at 03:30 from a 36 y/o f. Does it hurt? No. Any amb pain, are you pregnant? No. Does it burn or itch? No, just feels funny. How long? Off and on for a week. I looked at my basic partner and said it was all his. Feels funny when I...

Sounds like you're doing fine then. Getting emotionally stressed over every pt leads to quick burn out IMHO.

Hastings, something to ask your med director and ems coordinator about: Our system has a simple committee comprising of one medic from each service in the system, the EMS coordinator, and the Med Director sits in as time permits. We meet every four months. Primary purpose is protocol review...

Now that makes more sense.

So laying someone out for starting an IV was hyperbole?

I don't know about that. The first data was simple time to treatment vs mortality in WWI. Longer the time - the greater the mortality. Military medical personnel stress the golden hour as "Historically, wound data and casualty rates indicate that more than 90 percent of all casualties die within...