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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    You can't and not all programs are the same. The best way is to start by moving all training to educational institutions (colleges). Even a certificate program from a collage is going to be of a higher quality because the courses are taught to a standard. Currently there is no standard other...
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    That's the reason EMS grew out of fire departments. They have the funding and the influence. The problem is that its not always about patient care. Again I go back to the fact that you will not be able to significantly change the system until you attract better providers. Currently the good ones...
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    I agree with you Vent. I worked with a few medics who scared the hell out of me, and I'm a basic. The problem is that until EMS providers are paid more, EMS will not attract higher quality career providers, and until we attract more and better career providers the standards will not be able to...
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    That's why I corrected my wording to competitive as soon as I read my own words. Inevitably the doc is in charge of every patient, but I'm talking about if a patient is in cardiac or respiratory arrest. Who is making the call about the next move in an ambulance? The paramedic is, even if he is...
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    Why? Because a typical paramedic doesn't have a good enough education to treat patients without help effectively when they come out of medic school. Pre-hospital medicine is different than hospital medicine. Just look at nurses for instance. Part of pre-hospital medicine often involves rescue...
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    I'm not whining, my reason is that by the time I would finish medic school, I will hopefully be in medical school. I just don't understand the problem with basic's having a BGL test as a tool to assess whether to give the oral glucose they already are certified to give. I have worked for a...
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    Sure, the system needs to be revamped. (Not this thread) I still don't see how knowing A&P would change anything in relation to taking a BGL measurement. Knowing A&P doesn't change glucose levels, nor the need or lack of a need for oral glucose. This isn't really expanding the scope of an...
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    The line of reasoning is more along the lines of, if lay people can be taught how to do it, why can't we be taught how to do it if it provides a benefit and carries little risk to the patient? In the case of BGL monitoring, there is little downside, and only benefit. The only legitimate argument...
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    For starters, there is no need. If we need to ventilate, we have a BVM. If they need a ventilator, then there is a serious underlying problem that needs an evaluation by a physician. I really don't understand the relevance of that post.
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    Does your BLS protocal incl. glucose monitor finger-stick?

    Why couldn't you use it? MA is actually implementing BGL monitoring for basics via a state waiver. You have a patient that has an AMS and is a known diabetic. The patient is still alert and able to swallow. Protocol says give him oral glucose. But what if its high blood sugar? Yeah the...
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    Green Tea may Have Anti-HIV Effects

    But that article isn't correct. Parkinson's Disease is not caused by beta-amyloid plaques, it's caused by the deterioration of dopamine production cells in the brain. The associated dementia comes from an increase in alpha-amyloid fibrils resulting in the Lewy bodies that cause the dementia...
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    Cpr

    I've seen it taught in 7 steps. Some instructors separate AED from CPR, so the algorithm would look like this for just CPR: 1.Determine Unresponsive 2.Activate the Emergency Response System 3.Open Airway 4.Check breathing (Look, Listen, & Feel) 5.Give two breathes 6.Check Pulse 7.Give...
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    On way to roll over...

    Oh, no.. at the time it wasn't funny at all. Our paramedic knew most of the personnel involved. From what we heard, correct me if I'm wrong, but everyone turned out alright. Looking back though, the irony just isn't reproduced everyday.
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    EMS License Plates now ready

    Mass just got one too, though I have never seen it.
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    Medical school graduate....

    I stand corrected. :)
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    Medical school graduate....

    I'm pretty sure the OP is not a licensed doctor, but just an M.D. who graduated medical school. Doctors do not receive their license until they pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This is usually taken after the first year of residency. Without any residency, an M.D...
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    parents

    Outside of the NREMT, if you feel like the child is in danger and the parents refuse to let the child be treated then LEOs can always take them into protective custody; then you can transport. It very rare, however, that a parent won't want you to treat their child in a true emergency. Legally...
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    Maryland Splint Trouble

    Just to clarify, since I can't edit. My first post was describing a different way to splint which is taught near me (similar to an elbow splint), so disregard it. Just make sure you are communicating with your partner and the boards are long enough that they bend. Other than that, there really...
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    Maryland Splint Trouble

    Honestly I would never splint a knee like that, it would be unbelievably painful for a real knee injury. Anyway, here is a video describing the Maryland knee splinting technique. Just be sure to use long enough board. (Which I also find unnecessary)...
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    Maryland Splint Trouble

    In my class we learned/teach how to use all the different splints including the boards. For the bent knee, you have two hands. You can hold stabilization by holding the two boards tight against the leg with your thumb and possibly the index finger at the side of the board; one hand above and...
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