xrsm002
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I love Texas not having state protocols.
EPI Pen
- Thread starter chri1017
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MrJones
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I carry an epi-pen in the back country as a just-in-case, and I've recently switched to this:
Why, you ask?
Yes, just like an AED, the Auvi-q talks the user through the process, step-by-step. Not important for me (I know what to do), but if I can't inject myself, it's good to know that whoever grabs my epi will be able to hook me up. And, as a bonus, it's a bit smaller than a deck of cards, so it takes up less space in my kit.
Why, you ask?
Yes, just like an AED, the Auvi-q talks the user through the process, step-by-step. Not important for me (I know what to do), but if I can't inject myself, it's good to know that whoever grabs my epi will be able to hook me up. And, as a bonus, it's a bit smaller than a deck of cards, so it takes up less space in my kit.
nwhitney
Forum Captain
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I've administered Epi before but not via a pen. We draw our own Epi here in Oregon.
nwhitney
Forum Captain
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Here in Oregon EMT's can use supraglottic airways like King and Combi.
unleashedfury
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From what I gather about Texas.. its up to the medical director.. he can make you be John Wayne.. Or say you don't even touch the patient. Consider it a priviledge that you get to load your patient into the buggy.
I only spent time on Fort Sam when I was in Texas and partying amongst the San Antonio night life. Never really ran into any EMS situation which required me to get the insight.
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You nailed it. The medical director can authorize you to do (or not do) whatever he wants. There is a tremendous disparity between systems throughout the state.
SA is where I live. I'm assuming you were down for 68W. We have a new military paramedic program, too. The specialty designation eludes me, though.
Bullets
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Ive done it twice, both were within 6 months of us being allowed to use them, one was bees, one was peanuts
unleashedfury
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I attended Fort Sam. I was the final 91B class before they transistioned to the 91W which is now the 68W of today. So now I'm showing my age.
OTOH I don't exactly agree with this practice. As it hampers the idea of advancing your education to become a advanced provider. I mean whats the point of becoming a paramedic if you can perform all the skills of one if your medical director permits. If you want to perform advanced practice, Become a advanced practicioner if you want to be a EMT-B, or a AEMT. do so.
unleashedfury
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I'm presuming, you may be referring to the 18Delta Special Forces Medical Sgt. program.
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No, it's not the 18D program, though they may come through here also. The medics they are putting through are training to be flight medics.
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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Shot an expired one into an orange once.
My cohorts kept storing the glass epi ampules under fluorescent lighting. They ought to be in amber glass, but that would confuse people (Lasix comes in amber glass too).
My cohorts kept storing the glass epi ampules under fluorescent lighting. They ought to be in amber glass, but that would confuse people (Lasix comes in amber glass too).
Bullets
Forum Knucklehead
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Except Epi-pens are not an advanced skill....if we can prescribe Epi-pens to children and teach them to use it, and your claiming its an advanced skill, that doesnt speak to highly of paramedics, does it?
And the flight medics are still 68W, with an F2 or F3 designation, F2 is CC, F3 is flight medic
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unleashedfury
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I wasn't referring to the Epi Pen bullets. you may have just misunderstood my post. I am referring to the way Texas has the state setup. where a Basic can perform advanced skills, IV Therapy, medications, and other advanced techniques based on their Medical Directors approval.
TransportJockey
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A lot of it has to do with lack of training or providers. Texas has a lot of frontier regions. I know so,e areas in Texas to get to a paramedic program would be a four hour of more drive. One way.
unleashedfury
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Ahh I see, So its more of the much rural regions that expand the scope of practice due to kinda being in the middle of no where,
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That may be its intent, but a lot of places utilize it. The EMTs in my major city FD can start IOs and place king tubes. PD's tactical medics here (EMT-Bs) have essentially the scope of military combat medics.
rwik123
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I carry an epi-pen in the back country as a just-in-case, and I've recently switched to this:
Why, you ask?
Yes, just like an AED, the Auvi-q talks the user through the process, step-by-step. Not important for me (I know what to do), but if I can't inject myself, it's good to know that whoever grabs my epi will be able to hook me up. And, as a bonus, it's a bit smaller than a deck of cards, so it takes up less space in my kit.
Are you allergic or did you get your doc to prescribe you one just for piece of mind?
MrJones
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No known allergies, but the possibility of coming across - and reacting to - an allergen that I hadn't previously been exposed to while in the back country is such that my Dr. and I agreed that it would be a good idea to carry one as well as some benadryl
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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How long would they forestall anaphylaxis? Better get a satellite phone, smoke flares too.
Ask about "Susphrine"
Ask about "Susphrine"
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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I think medications are in that magic zone where they aren't advanced until you are, then they are. I call it..."The YOUSHOULDAKNOWNBETTER" ZONE". If a layperson "HELPS" gives someone their epi and they expire, it's racked up as a "good try". If you as an advanced prehospital provider shoot someone and they die and there's a detectable (take vitals, good history, look for medic alerts, and record it all) and preventable situation which exacerbates to a mortality, it could be manslaughter.