Volunteer service...

[mp5dude]

I'm sure that this has been on here many times before...

I am actually extremely frustrated with my service. Routinely there has been multiple empty portable tanks, spinal precaution items (CIDS, C-Collars, ETC) routinely not restocked, and countless other items... I've even found our heart monitor without defibrillator pads.... I've actually been told that I shouldn't be so critical with our equipment levels (it's hard to be told that when you don't have something but you're told that you shouldn't be so mad about not having that item IE: no EKG electrodes in the ambulance or not enough to run another ambulance call)...

Every Gripe has basically fallen on deaf ears except for the LT's.. (which they have no authority to enforce rules/policies and procedures).

We have no SOP's regarding requirements for checking the ambulances, restocking, and just general cleanliness of the ambulances.

Thank you for looking at this post, I guess I'm just ranting and needed to let that out. If anyone has any ideas? about maybe where/how to start, I'm all ears...

thanks,

MP5dude..

 

[Medic Tim]

some states require a certain minimum (paperwork wise) for equipment checks, stock and other paperwork. That may be something to look into.

 

[planetmike]

Before each shift we have an equipment checklist we have to go through. Most (all?) of the times on the checklist are the minimum requirements for the ambulance to be in service. Check with your state’s office of emergency management, or health department, or whoever oversees ambulance services. Good luck.

 

[avdrummerboy]

Sonds like something to report to your state or local EMSA in order to prevent the guaranteed lawsuit in the making!

 

[LACoGurneyjockey]

I'm sure that this has been on here many times before...

I am actually extremely frustrated with my service. Routinely there has been multiple empty portable tanks, spinal precaution items (CIDS, C-Collars, ETC) routinely not restocked, and countless other items... I've even found our heart monitor without defibrillator pads.... I've actually been told that I shouldn't be so critical with our equipment levels (it's hard to be told that when you don't have something but you're told that you shouldn't be so mad about not having that item IE: no EKG electrodes in the ambulance or not enough to run another ambulance call)...

Every Gripe has basically fallen on deaf ears except for the LT's.. (which they have no authority to enforce rules/policies and procedures).

We have no SOP's regarding requirements for checking the ambulances, restocking, and just general cleanliness of the ambulances.

Thank you for looking at this post, I guess I'm just ranting and needed to let that out. If anyone has any ideas? about maybe where/how to start, I'm all ears...

thanks,

MP5dude..

Is the issue that you are coming on duty and finding the ambulance missing these items and having to restock them, or that they are missing and you're unable to restock them due to a lack of company supplies?
Everything you've mentioned, I've found missing at the start of a shift, working for a respectable paid service. That's why we check out our units at the start of a shift. Should the off-going crew restock what they've used? Absolutely. But some people are lazy, and some people just forget. But once you come onto that truck it's your job to know what's there and what's not, and get it up to par. You can't change the work ethic of your coworkers, but you can make sure you do your own job proficiently.

 

[Chimpie]

If there are no procedures in place, take the initiative and start some. Draft up SOPs, draft up paperwork, put together a system and get it approved.