Serious Rectal Bleeding Question

[dixie_flatline]

Actually, coroners have done this for quite some time to overwhelm their sense of olfaction and mask the horrible smell of decomposing flesh.

I think even Sherlock Holmes used camphor when around carcasses.

 

[MasterIntubator]

That doesn't make it the right thing to do.

For now ... it is the thing to do. There is no way any of us will predict what will happen in the field when it comes to these internal situations

 

[Veneficus]

For now ... it is the thing to do. There is no way any of us will predict what will happen in the field when it comes to these internal situations

I think that is the difference between technicians and medical professionals and why EMS will never hope to be one.

There are physical exam and history findings that can give data that will support reasonable decision making.

Like I said, not in every case for sure, but to make no effort, or to always defer to a protocol when the medical professionals responsible for attempting to help the patient are educated and specifically told not to perform an intervention for a particular pathology, it does not win much respect nor earn recognition as a capable provider.

 

[MasterIntubator]

I agree with you. New folks are confused enough coming out of school without all the stuff the teachings leave out of real world. Experience brings on the knowledge that you possess, and for many medics, it takes their entire career to grasp that idea and break free from cookie cutter books and think along the assessment based treatments. ( I yearn for that day its actually taught correctly )... but look what they did to the EMT-B program..... Cut out info and eased up on the testing from the EMT-A program.

 

[johnmedic]

I cringed when I saw this thread. However, it's turned out to be interesting reading.

"Get a good SAMPLE and you'll be set."

Still, I can't believe NO ONE has pointed this out!

Haha! Good catch, I completely missed it..

 

[bradford]

Most all of them are really cut and dry to handle. Small leaks ---> chux, IV and transport. Once in a blue moon, you will get the diamond in the rough... and walk thru the doors with the pt on the bathroom floor... you can smell the blood and feces in the air ( almost parvo like ), and the floor and walls are covered in blood.... we are talking like waterballoon amounts of blood. The pt is pale and diaphoretic, semi-responsive and no one else is around to give any history, name, etc.
You do a rapid exam, notice where it is coming from... and scoop them up on the stretcher... head down, feet up. IV, O2 and MAST ( yup, the one call where they may have done a little good ) ----> granted, this was the early 90s. Would I use them today? Probably not, but it would make me wonder if they may help a bit.
Other than a blood Y of fluids going and keeping the systolic about 70-80... there is not much else one can do in the field.

Its just a poopy situation.

Wow. You just brought back a memory there. My first lower GI bleed call. Pt was unresponsive until I made contact and she grabbed me with her bloody/poopy hand right on my bare arm. It looked like a poop/blood grenade went off inside the bathroom. Uggh, I can still remember the smell...

 

[MasterIntubator]

Don't you just hate that??? Freshly laundered uniform and those mud butt grubs come right at you.