video

[Guardian]

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/230b/popup/index.php?cl=2809197

Some reiterations...average people don't know the difference between BLS and ALS and they should, we should not be hiding this secret from them, we have too many certification levels when there should only be two - emt(b) cert and paramedic license, etc, etc, etc. I know, same old crap from guardian but I just thought this vid reiterated some of my points. As far as the study showing als being more effective than bls, I think that's common sense but regardless I'm glad they attempted to prove it with a study.


Look at the title, "Many paramedics are not qualified to administer specialized procedures"...they couldn't even get that right.

To see my related opinions, go to the Ambulance Driver = EMT = Medic thread.

 

[TripsTer]

You're right. People usually think that EMTs and Paramedics are the same thing. It's a common misconception and only a very few know the difference that are not in the medical field themselves.

And I agree with you on having two levels of cert. Basic and Paramedic. I know that my EMS service has eliminated the Intermediate Course and only teaches Basic and Paramedics and I've heard similar actions from other services that try to phase out the Intermediate Certs.

 

[medicdan]

The "Medical Reporter", Dr. Timothy Johnson lives very close to me-- and I have seen him around a few times. From what i understand, he left real patient care about 20 years ago, has been in academia (Harvard Health Letter), and has gotten caught up in TV publicity. I would assume he knows better, but I do question whether he wrote the story.
All that story does it confuse the population-- it provides no hard details (what/where/when is the study from Canada), and confuses simple terms (EMT, Paramedic, Advanced Life Support), over a cute background of "EMTs" doing thier jobs.

 

[Flight-LP]

You're right. People usually think that EMTs and Paramedics are the same thing. It's a common misconception and only a very few know the difference that are not in the medical field themselves.

And I agree with you on having two levels of cert. Basic and Paramedic. I know that my EMS service has eliminated the Intermediate Course and only teaches Basic and Paramedics and I've heard similar actions from other services that try to phase out the Intermediate Certs.

Two levels would be great, but I disagree eliminating the Intermediate level. Keep it and make it the Basic entry level. Which would you rather have, an EMT limited to strictly BLS interventions, or an Intermediate that has some ALS use. Also keep in mind that under your particular protocols (if I am correct in my assumption of what agency you are with), Intermediates can perform most of the skills that the PI or PII can do except ride in an ALS call. Make this the EMT-Basic level of knowledge and education and it will be one small step to increase the professionalism of our industry as a whole. Get rid of these current 120 hour first aid classes that we currently call EMT Basic training.

 

[Chimpie]

Get rid of these current 120 hour first aid classes that we currently call EMT Basic training.

But what about those who work in industrial settings? Or rural low staffed, low budgeted volunteer fire departments?

 

[bstone]

Should only be two levels of certification?

I respectfully disagree.