socalmedic

Latest Activity

1. Need some advice on how to start an IV on pt with severe edema

   socalmedic replied to heparinized's topic in Infusion

   larger people are usualy harder to find veins on, look in the joints where veins are more superficial (ie. AC, wrist, anterior shoulder, popliteal, ankle). as for the edema try to press all the fluid out of the area so that you can see the veins. get...

2. In flight Emergency with the proper equipment

   socalmedic replied to Robublind's topic in Emergency

   ask and you shall recieve... the US congress and senate passed what is know as the "Aviation Medical Assistance Act" in 1998 indemnifying medical personnel from liability while airborne. "SEC. 5. LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY. (a) LIABILITY OF AIR CARRIE...

3. Most useful items to pack-medical mission

   socalmedic replied to JustJen's topic in Emergency

   I am looking for a few good organizations to go on medical missions with, as my church recently stopped. i cant figure out how to PM on here but any information you may have would be greatly appreciated. [email protected]

4. Where are the jobs at?

   socalmedic replied to mwboswell's topic in Flight

   There really isn't a central database of flight jobs. I am currently looking for a flight medic spot and all i can say is start with air methods which is the largest and start going smaller. each state will have a registry of all the licensed Air Amb...

5. Backboards in the ED

   socalmedic replied to mwboswell's topic in Emergency

   as a paramedic I try to clear C-spine prior to using a spine Board. as someone who has been on a board for greater than an hour I know how much it hurts. with that said all the hospitals in my area need to have a MD clear the board, but they are usua...

6. Tourniquet use

   socalmedic replied to mwboswell's topic in Emergency

   1. Yes, but as implied by my username I am EMS. We use the CAT tourniquet or a bp cuff. The CAT is easy, tighten untill pulse is lost distal or bleeding is controlled. For the bp cuff we inflate to 30mmhg higher than systolic or bleeding is controlle...

7. IV Pumps--have you used Baxter's Sigma Spectrum??

   socalmedic replied to AKav8trix's topic in Emergency

   the library is constructed custom for each hospital, if your hospital does not have Nitro you should have it added stat. as for the discussion about 1l/hr, you really should not be using any small med pump for an infusion that fast. gravity would wor...

8. Giving Report to Medics... What do they know?

   socalmedic replied to casi's topic in General Nursing

   this is dangerous. I understand altering your report when they ask you questions, but you should always give the same report to make sure nothing is skipped. I always listen first then ask questions. IE, get full report then questions about vent sett...

9. Giving Report to Medics... What do they know?

   socalmedic replied to casi's topic in General Nursing

   the paramedic curriculum was based on the RN curriculum, there are areas such as long term care that we dont go over, but for the most part we learn the same stuff in school. over the years paramedics may forget things like lab values and your abbrev...

10. Can paramedic or EMT administer an IM med like Haldol or Ativan to help unruly pt?

    socalmedic replied to ~Transplant Nurse~'s topic in Emergency

    to the OP, as a paramedic I can give IM haldol for "acute behavioral incidents" as well as iv/im valium or versed. this is all within my standing orders, no need for the medical control doc to say yes. I do use sedatives and anti-psychotics often, th...

11. Paramedic to RN, ADN or BSN

    socalmedic replied to socalmedic's topic in Emergency

    well i am glad that I am not the only gurney slinger (or box jockey) here. thanks for all your advise so far. are there any pointer you could give me for making the transition? I know to leave my Paramedic hat at the door, but what did you find helpf...

12. Paramedic to RN, ADN or BSN

    socalmedic replied to socalmedic's topic in Emergency

    thankyou, I have explored Loma Lindas paramedic degree program, as well as their nursing program. at this time I cannot afford $25,000 per year for the tuition. I am looking into the public universities for BSN, after talking with some of the ER coor...

13. Paramedic to RN, ADN or BSN

    socalmedic replied to socalmedic's topic in Emergency

    Hey, any information you have would be appreciated. i assume you are in Bakersfield, I am in LA. I have just started looking into programs this fall. I know I still have Pre-Reqs to finish, I am taking most of them right now... i am looking to start ...

14. Paramedic to RN, ADN or BSN

    socalmedic posted a topic in Emergency

    first off Hello everybody, I am currently a Paramedic in Southern California however I am looking to make a jump from pre hospital to In hospital care. I have done shadowing in the ER and ICU and am leaning toward the ER. I have my AS in paramedicine...