Recent content by Doctor B

And now a word form the other side of the coin: CALSTAR President Joseph F. Cook said that an incision in Jones' neck made by a piece of glass from the shattered windshield inhibited the success of the cricothyrotomy and was a factor in Jones' death. Cook said he believes the coroner...

We currently utilize a web based prograsm that can be accessed by any computer that has an internet connection. The program is called EMSCharts and once you "buy " into the program they take care of all of the system upgrades and IT issues. They even have a 24 hr. tech support. The report is...

skyemt, I agree with you wholeheartedly!! Fortunately our agency is one of the very few utilizing the evac-u-splint system. Unfortunately not everyone has the budget to support this though. The Back Raft is another great tool. I'm sure most of providers out working on the streets would love...

I used to be an avid rider of sportbikes as well as sport-touring bikes. Rode without an incident for 20+ years both on the track and off. I always wore leathers (perforated ones for the hotter days) boots and a helmet as I am a firm believer that ruining the cow's hide was better than ruining...

As someone who transports alot of critical trauma patients to Level 1 trauma centers we see the same thing. Regardless of the initial pt. presentation they are immediately log rolled off the backboard. Keep in mind though that they are in NO WAY clearing their spine when they do this. The pt...

Engine 17 was driving west bound on University Code 3 when a vehicle ran the intersection heading south on Cresthill Lane. Correct me if I'm wrong but where does it say that the car actually ran a red light? While I'm all in favor of the traffic omitters this still serves as a good reminder...

+1 I do the same thing on my complex flights or inter-facility transports. Another good location is on the opposite forearm of your writing hand so if you're taking notes while standing you don't have to bend over to write on your thigh.

Before gettting into EMS I was a Lifeguard. One of the FD members that taught our annual CPR training was also an EMT Instructor so he recommended I try it. The rest is history. Ancient I might add :-)

Not sure how they justify the device as being more precise. While the BIG is cheaper than the EZ it doesn't afford you the ability to "feel" the needle enter the Intraosseous space when inserting it. It's simply a matter of placing the device on the patient and pulling the trigger hoping that it...

The replacement needles typically run between $90-110.00 ea and typically only come 5 in a box. Some places will sell them individually though. But be careful, taking matters into your own hands without a written protocol can potentially set you up for liability issues. Make sure it's identified...

We have been utilizing the EZ-IO for a bout two years now. We evaluated all three IO devices and even though the cost for the EZ-IO is a bit more than the other devices there is simply no substitute for contol of the needle. And with the FDA recently adding the humerus as an approved site there...

Being an instructor for both I don't have a severe bias either way. Both programs provide great information but in different ways. ITLS has done a good job of teaching the acronyms needed to perform a thorough head-to-toe survey in the trauma patient as well as presenting the specific lectures...

OMG!!! Please teel me that was not on a real patient and just a joke!!! The lawyers would have a field day with that one!! What would you have done if suddenly that patient lost consciousness and became unresponsive! How would you have managed him then? Sure the easy answer would be to flip...

Some more of my favorites. The infamous floral syndrome for which there is no known cure- FTD (AKA Fixin To Die) From the ER Docs comes the GOMER -Get Out Of My Emergency Room can't forget the ever gruesome FUBAR or F---ked Up Beyond All Recognition Also the celestially discharged. Not to...

Doctor B was the "nickname" I was given by my fellow workers and was even picked up by some of the students I had in the classes I teach. The "B" is the first initial of my last name.