Obtaining BGL

[pghboy2011]

Originally Posted by Thriceknight

Is obtaining a PT's Blood Glucose Level as an EMT-B in ANYONE'S scope of practice?? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Yeah, that's one of those silly rules that seems to be pretty standard...I mean...if you cause someone harm by checking a BGL, you've royally screwed up, and don't deserve your cert...

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by preggoeggo

In NC it's a basic skill. Although in my county, you have to pass expanded scope boards in order to obtain BGL. So...the state says I can, the county says I can't. (Less further testing) I guess they think we're going to poke our pt's in the eye? I can't figure it out.

Actually, in NC it is a Medical Responder skill (Procedure 25 - Blood Glucose Analysis; MR thru EMT-P)...so are EpiPens.

[pghboy2011]

Originally Posted by Christopher

Actually, in NC it is a Medical Responder skill (Procedure 25 - Blood Glucose Analysis; MR thru EMT-P)...so are EpiPens.

I'm not from NC, what exactly is a Medical Responder? Is that similar to a First Responder that will go in, and just sustain until a transporting unit can arrive?

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by pghboy2011

I'm not from NC, what exactly is a Medical Responder? Is that similar to a First Responder that will go in, and just sustain until a transporting unit can arrive?

The nomenclature is likely interchangeable with "first responder," excepting the fact that it is a recognized certification. It is an 80 hour class covering the bare minimum to provide medical care in the State. CPR/AED, splinting, first aid, immobilization/extrication, BGL, EpiPens, decon; you get the idea.

At least in my area they're not really found anymore as most of the first responder agencies (read: fire departments) have gone EMT-B minimum. This is because our county's medical director placed the minimum at EMT-B. Further, these EMT-B's are practicing at the full NC scope (BIADs, nasal narcan, etc).

[EpiEMS]

North Carolina sounds like a veritable EMS paradise!

I'd love to be able to take BGLs when I'm running without a medic. Technically, even with a medic, I'm not 'supposed to,' but they all expect it to get done, so who am I to say no (especially considering how easy it is to get)?

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by EpiEMS

North Carolina sounds like a veritable EMS paradise!

I'd love to be able to take BGLs when I'm running without a medic. Technically, even with a medic, I'm not 'supposed to,' but they all expect it to get done, so who am I to say no (especially considering how easy it is to get)?

Working out of your scope is what says no? Eh?

[heatherabel3]

I know this is an old post but I am cracking up. I knew going into this that as an EMT-B I would be limited on what I could and could not do in the way of patient care but seriously..a BGL? I just, like seriously 5 minutes ago, checked my kids sugar, it was low, gave him 2 glucose tabs, rechecked in 10, was fine, gave him some protein and sent him on his way and I had all of 8 hours of "Diabetes education" at the hospital.

And as far as giving glucose if their sugar is in the normal range isn't going to hurt anything. In the grand scheme of things your right but have you ever asked a Diabetic how they feel when their sugar goes up over 200 units in 10 minutes? Like crap, that's how. My son regularly gets off the bus with an awful stomach ache, headache, and begging for insulin because if the bus driver even thinks there is a chance he could be low she will give him a juice box. You are actually causing the patient more discomfort by giving the glucose if they don't need it than you would be by doing the 1/2 a second finger prick.

[JPINFV]

Originally Posted by heatherabel3

And as far as giving glucose if their sugar is in the normal range isn't going to hurt anything. In the grand scheme of things your right but have you ever asked a Diabetic how they feel when their sugar goes up over 200 units in 10 minutes? Like crap, that's how. My son regularly gets off the bus with an awful stomach ache, headache, and begging for insulin because if the bus driver even thinks there is a chance he could be low she will give him a juice box. You are actually causing the patient more discomfort by giving the glucose if they don't need it than you would be by doing the 1/2 a second finger prick.

In a situation where an EMT would give oral glucose to a known diabetic with an unknow BGL, "feeling like crap" is honestly going to be the least of the patient's symptoms.

[Brandon Oto]

Originally Posted by pghboy2011

Yeah, that's one of those silly rules that seems to be pretty standard...I mean...if you cause someone harm by checking a BGL, you've royally screwed up, and don't deserve your cert...

Not sure if it counts, but I stuck myself with a lancet. Twice in one day.

Thought about having myself admitted for a CT. Or a psych workup...