Transporting a SOB back to res.

[Akulahawk]

I think people would hate me if I got back on an ambulance, I would be ignorant. Also working as a Basic would be torture.

I might play ignorant for little while, and then pull out some zingers that would probably make the partner suddenly come to the realization that I know a lot more than I let on. Playing ignorant at times like that can be incredibly fun! I would probably do that for most of the shift, with the goal of letting my partner come to the conclusion that I'm a lot more well-educated than the partner is.

Doing that, however, is not a good idea when your partner is, in effect, your boss. I had a partner/supervisor that was clearly not anywhere near as well educated as I was and that did not result in a very favorable outcome for continuing my employment with that particular company.

For me, working as a basic would be really not that big of a deal. I did that for quite some time and found it to be very restful compared to my other job at the time, which was nonmedical. of course, I always assessed my patient as a paramedic, given the equipment available, and that I was working as a basic. The reason it was not difficult for me is that when I went to work as a basic, I understood that I was to be working as a basic, not as a paramedic. What would be torture for me would be to be hired as a paramedic, and told to work as a basic.

 

[ZombieEMT]

More serious questions.

I have a more serious question in relation to the OP response to all.

You don't look at paperwork because you don't want to step on your partners toes?

I can not speak for everyone else here, but I generaly read through all my reports whether I treated or drove. My name is on the report and I am just as liable. I also refuse to sign anything I have not read. Just because you did not treat does not mean you were not on the call.

I do not care about stepping on someone else's toes if they are doing the wrong thing and it effects patient care. Review what you are signing and putting your name too. I realize this is transport and generally there are no issues during a typical run but on special occasions like this I really think people need to focus on high quality documentation.

 

[VA Transport EMT]

Thanks for the reply everyone, i didnt take into account of the pts norm. makes sense the more you think about.

 

[leoemt]

A little friendly advice to the OP. You are a team, you need to act like one. Checking paperwork is not stepping on your partners toes. I often read the paperwork and both of us will listen to the Nurses report and ask pertinent questions. Did you or your partner talk to a nurse to get a report? Always make sure you do that.

I am still new to this and learning. There are a lot of things I haven't seen yet and I might easily miss something. I rely on my partner to speak up if they see something that I have missed. Its not stepping on my toes, its being a good team.

A doctor told me once "always treat the patient" there are textbook norms and there are real world norms. How many people have a BP of 120/80? Using the signs and symptoms and your questioning will help guide you down the right path. Don't be afraid to ask your partner.

 

[mycrofft]

"Yes" to reply above.

As an old married know it all, I'm learning though that correcting every little thing is going to lead to your being ignored when the bigger things come along. Ten minutes of 2 lpm via nasal cannula, if unchallenged, is a small price to pay for for team harmony.

Maybe make a "mental post-it note" to talk about it over "7" * sometime, about patient cost of the treatment when it really is not clinically significant.


*For you youngsters, "7" means "chow break" or other short out of service/call us if needed. As in "Control, Eight, we are seven at Hollywood and Vine" (i.e., stopping at the savings and loan there).

 

[HMartinho]

Hmmmm... So it was your partner's decision to just take them home? In the future if you're not comfortable with that, then try talking to them, away from patient and family, to air your concerns.

What were lung sounds? Did patient appear short of breath or did their rate just go up? And were their hands cold? I can't tell you the number of times I've seen people get freaked out by a "low O2 sat" when the patient's hands were just cold.

True.

Under these circumstances, I take SpO2 on earlobe.

First thought that comes to my mind, was PE.

Vital signs?
JVD was present?
Lug sound?