Help me out

Hey everone! I'm Tim and I just joined here from the Facebook group for JEMS. I'm currently in training to become an EMT-B, and my girlfriends family has asked me to watch their grandfather. The reason I am being asked to do this is his blood pressure can drop very low, and he will faint. Along with this he has had a stroke before, along with diabetes. They want me to stay there for the weekend while they go off on a vacation which isn't a problem, but I'm worried that I don't know exactly what to do. I am certified in CPR/AED, but I'm going to be alone. Should I try and get someone to stay with me so I have a second person to be there if I have to move the person? And if he has a stroke, what should I do other than call 911. I haven't gotten very far in my training as you can probably tell.

Thanks for your help in advance

Tim

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Permalink Reply by Chris Azevedo on October 29, 2011 at 2:41pm

My professional advice is to have the family get someone with the proper training and experience to stay with him. If you have doubts about yourself, why put someone in such a situation when there is a safer solution out there? I'm not sure it's proper for someone to assume that you are capable of this responsibility simply because you are in an EMT class, and it is certainly not proper to let them think that you are, if you are not sure yourself. It's safety. It's someone's life. Use good judgement.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Kirkwood on October 29, 2011 at 5:39pm

Unless you're just going to be an observant "companion," you are not yet qualified for the role of "medical monitor/caregiver."

If something (anything, not just a stroke) happens, you will have to call 9-1-1 and let the system run its course.

You can't say "I can do this, I'm an EMT" because you are not - and you wouldn't be qualified even if you were. This is what live-in nursing care is for.

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Permalink Reply by Jarrod T. MacKenzie on October 30, 2011 at 3:02am

I give you a lot of credit for reaching out for help and advice. I wish you the best of luck in your EMT class and best of luck when you begin your career.

I agree with what Chris and Skip have said. It seems like the family needs a mental break--they are not alone. However, there are services that can help. It takes time and planning to have a QUALIFIED medical professional come in, perform an assessment, get to know the family and patient a bit, then the family can plan a break.

Remember, you are not an EMT and even the best people I know in this business call for help and let those of us do our thing. But unless you are just there to observe or keep a person company for a while, you need to have training and be qualified as a "medical monitor/caregive" as Skip has said.

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Permalink Reply by Nathan on October 31, 2011 at 1:57pm

It sounds like the family is not trained and has no one trained there to help. Is that the case? Assuming it is then you are in no official role and are just there to help an elderly neighbor along while the family takes a break. I dont think there's a thing wrong with that.

It sounds like the family needs to think about alternative care options (home health, nursing home, ect). If the family and the elderly person wants to stay home regardless then.... well, with in reason thats their right! Dont do anything more invasive than checking a BP and help them get around and I dont see a problem... When in doubt, call 911, just like anyone else.

There isnt really much you need to do in an emergency. Just follow your cpr training and that will be more than adequate. All that matters in a stroke emergency on your part is calling 911 and remembering when they were last normal.

Its awesome to have a paper with the pts history allergies and meds available when EMS arrives.