Do you allow riders?
- Thread starter Shishkabob
- Start date
Pit crew EMS is a much more efficient way to work a code, having 4 people able to work the code is the best number for our system that we have found. Like I said, one on airway, Medic on drugs/IV access, and two switching off CPR. Gets you higher quality CPR many times because no one is getting tired and when switches do occur they occur without a pause in the CPR (or a very very minimal one).
And as far as working a code while driving...talk to the people that write the protocols...
Actually to answer the question as to why we run codes in the back of ambulance...well...its because we also run code 3 on the way to "non injury back pain" calls...
yes...if it makes the pager go ding ding, or the radio go beep beep...then we go weeoooweooooweooo
NomadicMedic
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All due respect, that's pretty lame.
Policy, If we get dispatched for a 9-1-1 call it is considered an emergency. All emergencies you run code-3 too. Technically if we were to run non emergent to a call that were dispatched emergent to, and someone else were to hit us and cause a wreck, we would be in a world of trouble for not having our lights and sirens on...
TLDR - Policy states all 911 calls are emergencies until someone is on scene to dispel that, thus we run code-3 to everything...
And no, I don't like it...and yes, very lame.
Back on topic though - I think it would be great if we had the space to allow a family member to ride with us if their loved one is in bad shape (cardiac or respiratory or anything non-trauma).
I am still very hesitant on letting family anywhere near the bus if it is a really ugly trauma, I think non medical professionals don't handle it well and it causes much more emotional distress and damage then it does to help things, If its someone we are rushing in for emergent surgery I would rather them get in their car and drive in themselves or be brought in by a second ambulance. I am not sure though, maybe it would be better to let them view?
I am still very hesitant on letting family anywhere near the bus if it is a really ugly trauma, I think non medical professionals don't handle it well and it causes much more emotional distress and damage then it does to help things, If its someone we are rushing in for emergent surgery I would rather them get in their car and drive in themselves or be brought in by a second ambulance. I am not sure though, maybe it would be better to let them view?
abckidsmom
Dances with Patients
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I feel better about whether I'm going to get complained on when I allow anyone who wants access to have access. I never sit in the jump seat next to the monitor, so if we have a family member that wants to ride alone, that's where they sit.
I have done my time in an urban system so I totally get that nasty disruptive people don't get to ride, but now the vast majority of my patients and their families are just regular people, and with the hour long transport, even the slightly agitated ones have calmed down when I get a chance to explain what's going on, or if they misinterpreted any of my actions, I get to explain my thoughts to them.
The most recent family member who was very unhappy with us was crabby and mumbling as we loaded granny into the ambulance. She wanted to ride with, and I wondered if it was going to be a good idea. I went ahead and let her, got her seated and buckled, and started down the road. Granny was having a big CVA, so I had a few things I wanted to do for her, and then it was just monitoring the rest of the way to the hospital. The family member ended up telling me that she was scared at first because my partner and I looked like a couple of "17 yo kids" and she didn't think we really knew what we were doing. LOL, I took it as a compliment and she hugged me when I left her in the ER waiting room.
It's all in how you handle them. These riders are some of the best people to practice good customer service on, because they are the ones who are going to be telling this story to everyone in the grocery store, and you want to be the nice medic who took good care of granny, not the one who left them standing on the front porch, wishing they were with their loved one.
I have done my time in an urban system so I totally get that nasty disruptive people don't get to ride, but now the vast majority of my patients and their families are just regular people, and with the hour long transport, even the slightly agitated ones have calmed down when I get a chance to explain what's going on, or if they misinterpreted any of my actions, I get to explain my thoughts to them.
The most recent family member who was very unhappy with us was crabby and mumbling as we loaded granny into the ambulance. She wanted to ride with, and I wondered if it was going to be a good idea. I went ahead and let her, got her seated and buckled, and started down the road. Granny was having a big CVA, so I had a few things I wanted to do for her, and then it was just monitoring the rest of the way to the hospital. The family member ended up telling me that she was scared at first because my partner and I looked like a couple of "17 yo kids" and she didn't think we really knew what we were doing. LOL, I took it as a compliment and she hugged me when I left her in the ER waiting room.
It's all in how you handle them. These riders are some of the best people to practice good customer service on, because they are the ones who are going to be telling this story to everyone in the grocery store, and you want to be the nice medic who took good care of granny, not the one who left them standing on the front porch, wishing they were with their loved one.
NomadicMedic
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^^^^^^^
That's the stuff, right there!
That's the stuff, right there!