US vs. UK Paramedics

[jpbaker1988]

Does anyone know what the difference between the scope of practice for paramedics in the UK, as opposed to paramedics in the US? Is there anything that UK paramedics perform out in the field that US paramedics cant? I have heard that the UK spends far more time conducting patient care on scene rather than transporting than the US does.

 

[thegreypilgrim]

UK Paramedic Clinical Practice Guidelines

In the US scope of practice varies according to state and local precepts.

 

[Scott33]

Does anyone know what the difference between the scope of practice for paramedics in the UK, as opposed to paramedics in the US? Is there anything that UK paramedics perform out in the field that US paramedics cant? I have heard that the UK spends far more time conducting patient care on scene rather than transporting than the US does.

The UK have a far greater number of non-conveyance calls that your typical US system. If the tech or paramedic believes the patient does not require - a) ambulance transport, or b) a ride to an ED, they can leave them at home or use a variety of referral pathways at their disposal.

UK system does not have medical control.

The US will probably tip the scales as to typical paramedic interventions (CPAP, capnometry, pacing, cardioversion, pressors etc, all of which are less common in the UK), however the new 2011 UK guidelines may bridge this gap somewhat...if they ever publish them.

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/med/r...pitalcare/jrcalcstakeholderwebsite/guidelines