RedBlanketRunner
Opheophagus Hannah Cuddler
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I'm out of the business now. On the sidelines. Re-retired after being a medical coordinator/facilitator for NGOs in third world countries. (Glutton for punishment)
And being out of the loop now I want to voice a gripe that has been gnawing at me for over 40 years. And hopefully, get some feedback if you would be so kind or bold.
Typical scenario. Just one example.
I was working at a hospital and my years of ambulance experience were well known to the ER staff. Out in the parking lot a woman took a dive out of a camper and was down. Husband sought assistance and I was first on scene.
Assess: Female sitting on the ground. 60+ yrs, somewhat overweight. Color good, panting, obvious pain. CAO 3. Her left arm was in an odd position, forearm fully posterior lateral. Shape of her shoulder was odd. Displacement indicated. I wanted her immobilized as is and on a stretcher as is, sitting. My gut told me supine was out.
Since the patient was otherwise stable and supported by a husky male I continued a full assessment for about 2 minutes.
A nurse was next responder. She immediately relocated the woman's forearm to the front and directed the other responders, 2 more nurses, to manhandle her up onto a gurney. The move not gentle and cautious but par with untrained bystander.
I handed off to the nurses. The next day an emergency trauma surgery was scheduled. Brac artery had been lacerated. Displaced FX at the ball.
Yes, I know. Bad calls happen all the time. If wishes were horses I'd have every ER nurse put in a few hours of field patient management and yada yada.
But the gripe: There is no venue to bring those screw ups to the attention of the medical hierarchy. Regardless of training, expertise, and experience, average field medic is a glorified package delivery service. In the above scenario, I attempted to suggest to the nurse to immobilize in place. And got my arse chewing by the ER sup and the DoN within hours.
What's your takes?
And being out of the loop now I want to voice a gripe that has been gnawing at me for over 40 years. And hopefully, get some feedback if you would be so kind or bold.
Typical scenario. Just one example.
I was working at a hospital and my years of ambulance experience were well known to the ER staff. Out in the parking lot a woman took a dive out of a camper and was down. Husband sought assistance and I was first on scene.
Assess: Female sitting on the ground. 60+ yrs, somewhat overweight. Color good, panting, obvious pain. CAO 3. Her left arm was in an odd position, forearm fully posterior lateral. Shape of her shoulder was odd. Displacement indicated. I wanted her immobilized as is and on a stretcher as is, sitting. My gut told me supine was out.
Since the patient was otherwise stable and supported by a husky male I continued a full assessment for about 2 minutes.
A nurse was next responder. She immediately relocated the woman's forearm to the front and directed the other responders, 2 more nurses, to manhandle her up onto a gurney. The move not gentle and cautious but par with untrained bystander.
I handed off to the nurses. The next day an emergency trauma surgery was scheduled. Brac artery had been lacerated. Displaced FX at the ball.
Yes, I know. Bad calls happen all the time. If wishes were horses I'd have every ER nurse put in a few hours of field patient management and yada yada.
But the gripe: There is no venue to bring those screw ups to the attention of the medical hierarchy. Regardless of training, expertise, and experience, average field medic is a glorified package delivery service. In the above scenario, I attempted to suggest to the nurse to immobilize in place. And got my arse chewing by the ER sup and the DoN within hours.
What's your takes?
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