TatuICU
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Not really if it is an EMS vent. Alot of protocols are written with a middle of the road tidal volume of 500. EMS vents don't have a way to compensate for their circuits like the ICU vents. The reps should tell you it will vary anywhere from 50 - 100 of volume lost in the circuit. Those single flimsy flex tubes on the ATV are :censored::censored::censored::censored: and the patient probably doesnt get half the volume.
They also taught use ABGs don't give much of the story. We also can't do arterial sticks per the state even on CCT. Only RNs can. You don't just throw bicarb at everyone either. It was discussed that low bicarbs on an ABG doesn't always mean you should give it. If you don't carry blood or potassium, what good do a bunch of labs do. Even that is just a snapshot as ER docs will tell you when they use the istat.
Flight teams and teams like Pedi or neonatal use the istat but they have everything in their bags that they might have in an ICU and their transports are long.
I would re-evaluate the education you received regarding ABGs. It certainly doesn't tell the whole story but it can sure tell you alot. And who said anything about throwing bicarb at people? Not sure where that's coming from.
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