Are you suggesting that anyone should give medications without education on its use or in its absence of that, somebody who is educated about its specifics?
I do not think it is asking a lot to require some classes in pharm, especially the specifics of the meds you are giving before writing a blank cheque on EMT-Bs dolling out medications that require a prescription. I never said anyone was stupid or a monkey. I don't know how to fix a car because I was never taught, I would definately make an effort to learn something about it before I tried. If I thought it was too complicated a repair for me I would also defer to somebody more capable than myself.
Does it sound that unreasonable?
I have had to clean up after basics who thought the local swelling from a bee sting was an early anaphylaxis sign and stabbed a pt with an epi pen. The agency was quite fortunate we were not sued. Sometimes treatments are limited to protect the providers. I would much rather be told by my medical director I didn't know enough to do something than a personal injury or malpractice attorney.
In addition, all chest pain is not cardiac in nature, you can't give everyone complaining of CP nitro "just in case" anymore than you could stab people in the chest with a needle cause they "might have a spontaneous pneumo."
I do not think a monitor or an IV is required in order to give meds and it is no substitute for education or clinical judgement. My mom doesn't take her bp, put herself on a monitor, or start a line before she takes her nitro. I doubt anyone does.
Nobody is immune from making mistakes.
