In WA state all EMT’s are required to know how to administer IM epi for anaphylaxis. Since epi pens are expensive, most are agencies are opting for vials of epi. This can be problematic for EMT’s who really never do IM injections.
I’m teaching an anaphylaxis class for new EMT’s including epi administration from vials. Do you see any issue with having them practice one IM injection on each other, with supervision, of 0.3 mL of saline? I think it’d be a lot more beneficial than the typical orange they have students practice on. If I can't trust them to do an IM injection of a benign substance on each other in a controlled environment, how can I trust them to do one in an emergency on a critical patient? I’ve been a part of 2 similar trainings a long time ago and don’t recall any issues, but haven’t done it since.
I’m teaching an anaphylaxis class for new EMT’s including epi administration from vials. Do you see any issue with having them practice one IM injection on each other, with supervision, of 0.3 mL of saline? I think it’d be a lot more beneficial than the typical orange they have students practice on. If I can't trust them to do an IM injection of a benign substance on each other in a controlled environment, how can I trust them to do one in an emergency on a critical patient? I’ve been a part of 2 similar trainings a long time ago and don’t recall any issues, but haven’t done it since.