Recent content by medickat

The article doesn't say it. I just know about it because of my connection with the squad is all.

I became an EMT-B when I was 16. I actually used to ride on the exact same squad that this boy does. Since they're volunteer, they don't have a lot of members - or members who actually show up when they're supposed to - and they take who they can get which usually means over-excited newly...

http://theithacan.org/22183 Because of what is written in this article, the kid has been suspended from his squad until an investigation has been completed. According to the facebook page of the squad, the article was published without the knowledge of any of the officers (which sounds iffy...

If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. I've been in EMS for nearly 6 years, and have run probably a couple thousand calls. I can't lie, the lights and sirens still excite me deep down.

Hiccups - Glass of water with a spoon in it. Drink while the handle of the spoon is touching your face. Also, temple massage. They work every time for me, I have no idea why.

Hah, this reminds me of a BS psych I did a few months ago. Lobby of a mental health facility, 19 yo female patient, obvious drug seeker looking to go to the hospital for some Fentanyl for "hand pain." Freaking out and threatening everyone on scene. One police officer offered a few...

You all need to take a basic biology class. There is nothing you can do about bacteria. It's a fact of life. The best you can do is wash your hands. This is getting excessive and ridiculous.

Sowe're changing the discussion to stretcher hygiene? This is a tread about BSI.

Not planning on rubbing my body against the pt... Again the best thing you can do is wash your hands. That's the only thing that makes contact.

Usually the precaution is MRSA, which is a pretty common thing. Not everyone gets it because it's not a highly virulent bacteria But you're always going to have it on you if you work in healthcare and it usually gets in through open wounds. The best precaution against it is hand washing...

The only time I ever use a gown is when I'm doing a transfer and the nursing staff on the floor forces us to because there is a contact precaution. Once I get the patient to the ambulance, the gown is never seen again.

I have to agree, I had to apply for reciprocity here in MA based on my NJ cert and it took FOREVER, not to mention it was financially draining. $150 for the application, $100 for the PSI written test, and another $50 to get the people from NJ to sign the verification paperwork and send it out...

Ha, I'm sorry guys. It's just one of those stories you can't not tell.

While BSI is extremely important and will prevent you from coming in contact with a lot of things... if you're going to get sick, you're going to get sick. Think about all the EDs and hospital floors you visit and all the sick people in there. The nurses and doctors are all vaccinated...

Not saying that it isn't listed in the books, I know it is. Just that there doesn't seem to be any physiological reason for it.