Ask A Medic

I hate them. I think they do more harm then good most of the time. We have started a new protocol where we can place them in a c-collar and not on a backboard.

 

^This.

While following protocol, I do everything I can to not put them on a spine board if they don't need it. There's this overwhelming urge to board everyone and we're doing more harm than good. I go through the flow chart to the letter and if it says no board. Then I don't board.

 

I worked at a major children's hospital for eight years. I saw many children die. It's a sad thing to see but there are also many good stories to tell; and every once in a while a miracle happens there!...

 

unfortunately where I work we still backboard anyone with a hint of a possibility of a spinal or head injury. and I believe that the provincial system here is still following the same Canadian C-spine rules that have been out for a while, though I am not 100% as I don't work for them. Hopefully it changes soon.

 

At the service i work at, im aloud to do spinal clearence...i do my quick c-spine assessment and pick if i want one or not.

Its a MEDIC only protocol tho...emts arent aloud to clear cspine

 

Obvious injuries=backboard.

My personal rule. And of course if they are c/o neck or back pain.

I HATE backboarding people. Its a cruel and unusual punishment...IMO. But until my protocol changes I am bound by my protocols.

 

GO to the ER. Like NOW. Don't pop the blisters. That will bring infection. It needs to be treated properly. No at home

 

Yup. Seek professional help at an Emergency Department. The blisters contain sterile fluid, and popping them would leave you open to contamination.

 

Fun evening.

 

http://www.katu.com/news/investigat...11-not-to-send-police-259620851.html?mobile=y

What I deal with

 

Just found this thread but I've been a Medic with the one of the largest FD's in the south for over 20 years. You can read the toll it takes on each of us in my sig.

To touch on the use of spine boards? We're in between now. Basically it involves the mechanism of injury. If you can keep C-Spine without doing any harm to the patient I certainly don't see much of a use in a residential setting. Vehicle accident's always dictate themselves so you just have to use your best judgement. If it is critical that you get the patient out then we will extricate and package as fast as possible. If time isn't of the essence then we can take a little longer to assess the situation. Each run is different as you all know and the run dictates the response.

 

That time again for license renewal. I somehow forgot to start my CEU's earlier and have till Monday at midnight to do them and renew my license. Joy joy.

12 hours down. 28 more to go.

 

A funny for all my medic brethren: (not from any of my calls)

 

Don't see anything wrong there.................

 

2,3, avf elevation!

 

Seat belt in bud, we're gonna drive fast

 

Elevation, and reciprocal depression in aVL! A lil' ASA, MS, and fluids, please!

 

Wut?

^^^This

 

It appears that they inject you with dobutamine and it stresses the heart same as doing a stress test on a treadmill when you can't do the treadmill stress test. Then they will basically do an ultrasound of the heart to determine cardiac output among other things. You should be able to watch it on the computer monitor as they do it.

 

From what I understand, yes.