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Eye Protection....Dorky or a good idea?
Hey all, I'm an EMT in San Diego, CA. I once had a Hepatits scare. i was on an MVA with a bipolar female who had oral trauma from the accident. We got her on a backboard and in the rig when she freaked out. She scratched mt forearm and began to spit. Her bloody spit came in contact with my open cut. We find out at the hospital that she has a hx of Hepatits (I cant recall which type). I tested negative....thank God.....! Ever since then while on the ambulance I have eye protection (safety glasses)on every call (not interfacility). Some EMT's have given me a hard time about it. Some joking and others not. What is everyone's opinion on this?
Views: 221
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by PAMedicAdam on -
Eye protection is always a good idea. I would get out of the habit of NOT wearing them on inter facility transports, and just get in the habit of sporting them with every response. It won't be "dorky" if you get a pair of bad a*% glasses that fit your face. Be proud to wear them...When I first started wearing them on every single call, a bunch of other started doing the same.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Paczkowski on -
You can look dorky and they can catch the communicable disease. Fair trade in my opinion, but I'm already kind of a dork. That said, I am also disease free.
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Permalink Reply by blair4630 on -
I am not as good as I should be when it comes to BSI...I don't always wear gloves when starting a line, I don't always wear eye protection when doing airway management. I sometimes assume (which I should not) that little old grandma in the well kept home doesn't have anything to worry about. I know that is a bad assumption to make, but that's just the way I do things. That being said, I would not fault anyone who uses it on every call...I might poke a little fun, but not in a spiteful way. To each his own, and you have the right to be as safe as possible while providing services to others.
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Permalink Reply by The Cannulator on -
Always at Assaults, Drug ODs and the like but really have to me more cautious about it. (As I think we all are)
However my Sunglasses for work are impact resistant safety glasses, which are approved under AUS standard for Sun protection and cost 29AUD!. Even better our safety glasses are now Bolle` and we order them in bulk--so there is never a question in replacing them.
Never ever let anyone give you stick about it. Soldiers in the gulf are wearing eye protection and I bet nobody would have the cohones to call them pussies would they?
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Permalink Reply by Duncan Hitchcock on -
Good point for discussion. While I view this issue from a couple different perspectives, as a Paramedic and a manager, the bottom line comes down to you've got to protect yourself, your family, your co-workers and your next patient.
Evaluation for BSI is a no-brainer. It's the decisions of the individual provider as to which pieces of PPE to use or are necessary that decreases risk of exposure. It is my responsibility to insure that our folks have the tools necessary to have and provide this protection. It is my responsibility to have in place guidelines, policies and procedures on when, where and how to use them. It is my responsibility as a Paramedic to use the equipment appropriately and when indicated.
The cool thing about glasses is that you can take them off if they aren't needed. Protect yourself. Period.
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Permalink Reply by V-fibber on -
Well you only have one set of eyes. They dont grow back. I dont use them on transfers but I always use them when I intubate , suction or when theres alot of blood.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on -
Both
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Permalink Reply by We_Hate_Drunks@2am on -
Hey thanks to everyone who has weigned in on this. I do have some nice stylish ones made by ESS. I would still like to hear more views and open this up to discuss all ems ppe.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Payne on -
I think everyone should wear them on every call... look at it as a universal precaution. As a manager we supply every member of staff with all the ppe they require to carry out the job they are employed to do.......... It is the individuals responsibility to use this ppe, However in this litigation mad world I see the courts sideing with the employers if the employee has CHOSEN NOT to use the ppe supplied to them. Your Choice!!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Wayne Gulan on
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For me and the unit I am in, eye protection is not negotiable.
The question you need to ask yourself is do YOU feel safe and are YOU happy wearing the eye protection, let the other guy sweat it when he has a splash of something nasty.
A product that I really like is MyClyns............post exposure spray that can go in your eyes, ears, nose, mouth etc etc
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Dick on
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Eye protection is standard PPE where I work and required on all EMS responses. In my opinion, you are only helping yourself, and those mocking you are living dangerously. This is a dangerous job and anything we can do to improve our chances of not being hurt or contracting diseases should be done and required. Check out EMSleadership.com for a recent podcast on developing a "Culture of Safety" in EMS. It should be posted in the next day or so. We will be doing more podcasts on the same topic in the next few weeks. Be safe!
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Permalink Reply by Ed Mund on -
I'm a big fan of universal precautions. I've always cared more about my own safety and my family than what somebody else thought. Age has brought another reason to always wear eye protection. I use goggles with a clear main lens and reading lens built in like a bi-focal. I get protection and vision with something less fragile and way less dorky than $10 drugstore reading glasses.
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