Recent content by highglyder

I often ask as I like to paint the most complete picture of the person possible. There are many conditions that may not be relevant to the particular call, but we document them anyways.....think stents, hyperlipidemia, or GERD for a trip and fall patient.

Pain is a very subjective experience, influenced by genetics and culture. Unless there is anything to suggest otherwise, taking the patient's word for it is not a bad idea. Sometimes we need to have a little blind faith.

If you can, attempt to review the chart with a training officer or someone from your medical director's office. Their knowledge will help you associate findings with presentations. You ought to bring this concern forward to your agency. There is nothing wrong with stating that you feel like...

It sure is interesting how things are done elsewhere. As little as 10 years ago, the ED nurses would essentially disregard our story and vitals, even if the most recent set was acquired while giving report. About 7 years ago, that started to change. Initial ED charts began including our most...

A construction site, yes, and I'm aware that road work is considered as such. However, I have yet to find MOL documentation stating that helmets must be worn at MVCs or that such scenes are considered construction sites. I'll delve into it deeper soon. Thanks for the link!

Hi-vis clothing I get and I wear it 98% of the time. But if helmets are mandated by the province, where are police's? Can you source your statement? Thanks!

We have to wear mini-firefighter helmets whenever on or near a roadway. This rule was instituted after one of our medics supposedly almost got hit by a passing car's mirror. I've questioned the need to wear a helmet when just standing on the street or roadside, especially if no traffic can...

Good call on removing the collar. How many types of injuries have been missed because of that damn thing? I think we all agree that local vs general exam has too many variables to give one single answer to those who seek such advice.

They tried to have us wear a name badge just like all other city workers before I got hired and apparently the medics refused to wear them and I guess they were successful because it hasn't been tried since, and this was 10 years ago.

The elderly are a different ball game. Certainly would have done the same myself. Then again, what you mentioned are things that can be measured in the matter of a few sentences.

The cake box may be crumpled, but the cake is just fine. MOI and how cars look are factors to consider, but not factors that should dictate treatment.

I guess that's the difference between our systems. As much as our directives exist, they are not considered to be written in stone. Sure, you still need to report a deviation, but if it was clinically justified, you're not going to get in trouble. The evidence regarding backboards is not all...

Sometimes a patient may feel a duty to acquiesce your requests. This could easily be depicted as abuse of authority (so to speak) if that person decided to screw with you. I suspect that you would have a difficult time defending yourself in court, or even if it was just a complaint.

That's when I would place a call to my supervisor, and if that fails, to one of our base hospital physicians. It's our job to advocate for our patients and that physician clearly did more harm than good. I would have simply refused to do so on basis of medical evidence and ethics.

Case in point. Had a 19 y/o who went out fishing on a boat on a full sun 33 degree day (that's 91 for you imperialists :P) wearing jeans and a polo shirt. He was out there for over 6 hours and had zero fluid intake. When he got home, he essentially passed out on the floor after drinking about...