[fenders]

Machmedic, I was referring to Canada. I have heard great things about some of the U.S paramedic programs. I didn't mean by saying laughing as an insult but the universities up here want you to have a degree before you apply to med school. I have quite a few paramedic friends here who are quite knowledgable and good at what they do and I think the problem is that there is no regulatory body (meaning , a body that governs the profession to protect the public). But if you already have a degree then it really helps being a paramedic, that's what I was told by Mc Masters in Canada.

In my case when I complained to the EMS chiefs here, they did nothing to address the issue to the paramedics in question. If it was a nursing complaint they would probably call you down to the nursing college for an interview with your license at risk. Someone has to be accountable for their actions. In nursing if you abandon care of a pt you could lose your license.

Another incident occured when I saw a person jump off a bridge and the person was still alive but the paramedics walked slowly to the scene and had just assumed that the person was dead already because they had jumped. This was a MH patient at the hospital I had worked at and I was furious because they didn't even try to help this individual. I realize this person may have died anyways but sometimes we don't know this. Should I have back boarded this patient myself and took him back to my ER?

I have read some studies showing that gang members in some areas have a higher survival rate from GSW or stabbings because they drive themselves to the hospital (Golden hour). I'm not sure how statistically significant these findings are, plus therre are numerous factors involved but I find it interesting. Also heard that if you have a heart attack, you have a better chance of survival in a well equipped casino then in a hospital. Maybe we should put casinos in hospitals.

Unfortunatly my buddies told me there's a lot of unhappy paramedics here because they are under the garbage colection union which treats the garbage collectors alot better then they do.

I remember working in the emerg during a major outbreak and having paramedics calling asking what they should do next as they may have been exposed. The organiation did nothing to address their employees with their concerns. I felt really bad for them but we helped them out the best we could. So it would be nice if they had some protection as well for themselves, such as an association.

[manchmedic]

I have to admit something.

First, when I read the thread, I jumped in without taking a closer look at who the audience was. I shouldn't go off half-cocked when I'm talking about a totally different system and environment than the one I work in. For that, I apologize.

With respect to regulation in Canada, I think you and I are on the same page, Fenders. Regulation is paramount if the system is to work the way it is intended to, and if there is none up your way, then I can understand your (and medics who are worth their salt) frustration.

An issue we run into down here in a lot of local EMS systems is that there is no unionization. Because of this, pre-hospital providers get hosed when it comes down to pay, benefits, etc. And that's a problem. Personally, I'm pretty fortunate in that I work for an agency that it ultimately owned by a hospital, and they do an above average job of taking care of us and what we need.

With respect to the jumper: that sounds like an awful situation. As far as getting to where the patient was, I can't speak for the actions of the EMS crew that was on scene, but unless there was a compelling reason for them to go that slowly (things that come to mind are whether or not there was access to where the patient landed, if the area was safe, anything like that) they should have been more proactive in getting to where the patient was. And as far as I'm concerned, patient isn't dead until confirmed dead.

Thanks for putting up with my posting. This is a great thread - worth the time of conversation, in my opinion....

[fenders]

Hey Manch medic,

I wasnt trying to put paramedics down, just wanted to stres the point of needing a regtulatory body to protect both the paramedics and patient's here in Canada.

There are also great stories as well that I didn't mention such as some friends of mine rescuing a guy who flipped his tar truck and the tar went all over the highway and into his cab. We have a small nurs unit but some of the guys got burned themsleves trying to rescue this guy walking through a small lake of tar. Another guy i met piloted a air ambulance helicopter that crashed becuase he was determined to pick up a snowmobiler with a head injury. they were 5 miles form the landing zone. We need those guys big time. Don't forget the guys who lost their lives in 911 as well.

I apologise for the way I worded my text, my typing isn't the greatest. I realize I used the word higher but isn't what i meant. I should have said extensive training instead. But it's the experience that also makes a huge difference.

ANyhow, no worries, were all learning still.

[NurseScarlett]

I am just curious Manch Medic...and no offense intended here, as I have found your posts in this thread to be both educational and thought-provoking...but are you planning to become a nurse? If not, I'm curious why you chose your first-ever forum post to be one to a web forum for Nurses? :P

But by all means...post away! Enjoyed your posts.

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NurseScarlett, RN