MONITORS

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by B.J. Jones on March 2, 2009 at 10:36am

Good Morning D.Man! Here in Oklahoma at the service where I work, we (EMT-B's) are not only allowed to hook up the monitor, we are expected to once we've been taught how to (LOL). We do not have the capability to transmit the readings but we do make sure that we record/capture a baseline reading and anything we notice that "looks wierd" for our paramedics and physicians to interpret. We are of course not permitted to read/diagnose/interpret a strip but most of us at least know when something "Ain't Right Here" and can draw the necessary attention to the details by someone who can. I will say that the only time we can utilize the monitor is when we are on an ALS truck (never on a BLS Truck). Our medic's work as a team and that is the way it should be everywhere! My partner and I rely on each other to know what the other one is going to need or ask for in most any situation - the dynamic's are fantastic, calming, efficient, and smooth. Any time a medical control physician feels that a basic is competent enough to do something, they can write a "Personal Protocol" which allows them to do things some of which may include IV's and certian drugs. It can be that simple but is is above the NREMT standards for basics. It is really up to the State and Med control of each service as to what is allowed for EMT-B's.

Permalink Reply by D.MAN on March 2, 2009 at 10:48am

WE SOMETIMES RUN ONLY A BLS TRUCK.I AM NOT SURE WERE I WAS READING THIS.I THINK IT WAS IN JEMS BUT I AM NOT SURE.I THINK WE SHOULD BE TRAINED TO KNOW IF IT IS NOT RIGHT ALSO.THIS WOULD HELP IN TREATING THE P/T AND ALSO BE ABLE TO TELL THE ER WHATS UP SO THEY CAN BE PREPARED.I KNOW IT WILL ADD MORE TIME TO GET YOUR EMT BUT I THINK IT WILL HELP.WE DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITIES TO SEND THEM.

Permalink Reply by Joe Paczkowski on March 2, 2009 at 11:57am

Exactly what part of your 110 hours (110 hours per NSC) of training and next to nil education do you think gives you the ability to do a proper assessment and monitor for side effects of administering any cardiac medication? If you want to give medication, increase your education to such a level that is allowed to administer those treatments.


Finally, for the sake of all that is good and holy, turn off your caps lock.

Permalink Reply by D.MAN on March 2, 2009 at 1:23pm

is this better.you dont know how much education i have first of all.i see you are a basic joe.i am just asking a question on something i had been reading about.this is something that i also have been talking about with emt instructors too.the say it is not that far away.as far as going up in my training i plan on it.if this hits a nerve with anyone i am sorry.

Permalink Reply by Joe Paczkowski on March 2, 2009 at 2:09pm

I really don't care how much education you specifically have. I care about the amount of education that the average EMT-B has, which is not that much, especially if anyone is considering giving basics the ability to administer cardiac medication. The simple fact is that, unless you've gone to great lengths to educate yourself (and no, a few CME hours isn't great lengths. College level anatomy, physiology, chemistry, etc is great lengths), EMT-B training does not provide anywhere near the foundation that should be required before even requesting permission to give a cardiac medication based off of a cardiac monitor or a 12 lead ECG.

As an EMT-B, I would not feel comfortable giving, say, amiodarone to a patient. Now consider the fact that my education far exceeds EMT-B (BS in biological sciences and almost finished with my MS in biomedical sciences), but with out the applied education and training one receives in paramedic/nursing/PA/NP/DO/MD school (and residency as appropriate), I would not feel comfortable giving it. Now why should I feel comfortable with the average basic, who doesn't even have any college level science education, giving cardiac medication.

"i am just asking a question on something i had been reading about.this is something that i also have been talking about with emt instructors too."

You also asked, "WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BACICS BE ALLOWED TO DO THIS" and my answer is an unequivocal "No!" for the reasons I've already talked about.