Ask A Medic

There are always tiny variances in blood pressure readings. I wouldn't really consider your BP reading "high". Clinical hypertension doesn't even start until 140/90. It has to do with the forces exerted during the contraction and relaxation of the heart. Your body is constantly adjusting the amount of pressure in the circulatory system.

 

^ This ^

I wouldn't worry too much about it since your Diastolic is that low. I would be more concerned if it were closer to 90 or above. Mine usually runs low (100/60). Every time I go to the Dr. he asks "is that normal for you?" It's just always been low for some reason. No family history of heart problems. I do notice every once in a while if I get up too fast I'll get a little "light headed". My pulse is normally around 60 and I've got my resting plus down to 40 with a heart rate monitor.

 

Yep, that's a current program in my department. A paramedic and a PA on a truck that visit patients regularly to keep up on the normal stuff. More focused on patients that just left the hospital get regular visits for the first 30 days after being released. Changing bandages, writing prescriptions, giving shots, doing BP checks. Damn near a mobile clinic. The community loves it.

 

I wish we could do something like that here.

 

Definitely a neat service. Quite a few of the surrounding departments are doing the same as well.

 

No doubt. Would also keep the "frequent flyers" down to a minimum and improve service to the community.

 

Start EMT basic on May 27th! Hoping to do advanced in the fall and start my paramedic next summer!

Super stoked.. been riding along with local EMS and LOVE it..

 

WOOP WOOP!!! Got hired on in a new service as a Primary Care Paramedic!!!

 

Well it begins

Question.

I have one college in my area that offers thos basic clas and an advanced class.

And another college in my area offers a paramedic program and all I need is a basic license to be considered.

Would it be a bad idea to go from basics to paramedic?

I do already have a bs in health science.

 

That's awesome and definitely the way of the future. Problem is no one out this way wants to spend the money for it even though there are grants to get it started. Which is really a shame. I agree with everyone else that it's a great service to provide.

 

Some manage to do ok going from EMT to paramedic right after the class. Most work as a EMT for a little while and get the skills down then go to medic. You could do it either way but I think if you're going to work for a while then it may be better to go through to advanced and then to medic. Reason I say that is where I am no one on a 911 truck will hire a basic because all they can really do it drive the truck. EMT-A's can ride in the back and drive so you actually get experience. You would probably be able to get a job as a basic working for a private company but you're not really going to get any experience just driving and going to school for paramedic. Your bs in health science will probably help you understand things a little easier than someone straight off the street.

 

That's a good point and I remember you mentioning that previously. Maybe I'll go for the emt-a and do that for a little. Either way I am stoked to get this started. Thanks for the note!

 

I've done more research on the whole community medicine thing and I'm afraid I'm going to have to change my view on this matter. Seems the hospital's appear to be the one's pushing this because they aren't getting paid by insurance for a bunch of these procedures and are wanting to push it off on someone else. If you look at the pay codes (ICD-10) There aren't any for the things that the community medicine is doing and therefore your service is the one actually losing. Yes, it can keep some units in service but it creates a bigger loss in revenue and salary for the department. At the current time my department is running on a $1.4 million budget and we are collecting greater than 50% of that back in billing. You can imagine the hit you would take on a full-time PA and additional medic in a dedicated truck for that. Not to mention the additional supplies and fuel needed for it to run. Then to top it off the loss of not being able to bill due to billing codes not being there because that is what the insurance providers are looking for when they pay.

 

I was wondering how profitable it was to do that ^ bc there was an article in the paper about that starting in my area.

Also finished the emt-b class on wednesday going to study up for the nremt and try to take it before new years.

 

I took basic registry last month. Passed it in about 40 questions Kinda freaked me out at first, but I guess I did well enough in the 40 questions it didn't need to ask me more.

Just keep it simple. Remember its ALWAYS your ABC's then you go into trauma or medical assessment & treatment. People wanna jump into throwing a split on a broken arm, but if the question hasn't stated that you've already got a patent airway and good pulse then the answer will about your ABCs because you can't skip them.

 

Do I need to see a DR?
I came across this post and thought I'd give it a try. I've had a constant ringing in booth ears now for a little over a month. Not sure how it happened but will it STOP?!?!?!

 

Sounds like you should go to audiology, but I'm not a Dr, Nurse, or EMT so take that with a grain of salt.

I shot my AR pistol with only one earplug in and I had ringing in my ear for about 16 hours, almost drove me crazy because there's no way to relieve it.

 

The worst part is trying to go to bed, with all the house quiet, all I hears is the ringing in my ear.

 

Yes, if I was you, I would make an appointment with your doctor.

Rule of thumb, anything out of the normal that lasts more than a couple of days, call your doctor. 2 weeks is the longest you should every tough anything out. Even colds that last longer than 2 weeks, it's recommended that you go in and make sure it isn't anything else.

 

I have a PPO, so I can go to any Dr. I choose w/o going to my General, What kinda Dr should I see?