I cardioverted a woman your age, with two small children, in a cardiac care unit at a local hospital during one of my rotations. I can tell you what happened then - it is similar to what we do on the ambulance but it is usually a bit calmer (since it needs to be done, but is less of an...
If there is no one on scene, I stop.
If it's in one of the districts I volly in, or I recognize the responders, I will pull over and ask if they would like help.
As long as you work within your scope and as any rational person would, you are covered in my state. Besides, your general rule...
My first thought in the update class was "wow, this is really insulting to BLS providers"... they aren't supposed to check for a pulse? I can't wait to hear the docs or nurses say something like "why are you doing cpr, moron, the patient has a pulse!"....
In my crazy county, once you get in the ambulance, no more shocky-shocky, even if it's advised. They'd rather you get to definitive care than pull over to shock.
I hope the updated ACLS guidelines aren't as retarded, but since it comes from the same people, you know it's going to be.
Everytime you get toned out for a call, it should be logged. If an ambulance, rescue truck, fire truck, chief's truck, whatever... rolls off the pad, there should be a run sheet.
You should also request that the ambulance fax a copy of the completed pre-hospital care report (or whatever you...
Two things:
Lights off means the room is empty.
Lights that are on (as well as radios, etc) can cause a spark that will ignite gasses, etc. If you've ever ventilated a house during an LP gas leak, everything gets turned off and stays off, including radios on crew members, etc.
I was behind a car that swerved to avoid a squirrel - and ended up grinding the poor thing between the ground and the car's turning wheel... since it wasn't my car it wasn't so bad until squirrel parts flew out from under the wheel and onto my windshield and hood. Ewwww, bloody furry squirrel...
Some other thoughts -
a half hour wait is great! I waited more than a half hour inside the back of the ER as a 27 year old female who suddenly was unable to walk, tender abdomen, tears flowing (subconsciously) due to pain, and a MOS that the ER staff knows very well. (turns out not only had...
Did the triage nurse sign for your grandmother? If so, nothing wrong has occurred. He/She agreed to take over responsibility from the ambulance, and it is common practice in most hospitals to put non-emergent patients (per the EMS crew and triage nurse's opinion) in the waiting room under the...