emt push narcotics?

[[email protected]]

We were commenting on how many patients came in with positive for opiates. The question came up Do EMT's give pain killers in the field and no one knew for sure. Just wondering? PLK

[mgthompson]

As an EMT, I know we are not allowed to administer anything other than O2. If the pt has an inhaler or SL nitro, we can assist them with self-administration, but other than that, no meds. As a paramedic, there are more meds that can be administered if directed by Medical Control, but I do NOT believe that they include narcotics in any state. Not positive, but I really don't think so. In an emergency situation, generally the LAST thing you want is to alter their S&S (other than ABCs) before they get to the ER. If a patient got to the ER medicated, how would the MD figure out what was wrong?

*DISCLAIMER: I may be completely f***ed in the head, ya never know..*

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

In our hospital they need an order unless there is a prewritten protocol like for chest pain that they can just go ahead and use. But they must report drugs given to the ER over the radio or on arrival and absolutely must document on the run sheet and on their narcotic sign out sheet, so you shouldn't be getting pts that have been medicated without your knowledge.

[RachetRN]

Hi ya'll

Absolutly everything that canoehead said AND:

I live in a very rural area and our EMT's can give med's but only if a doc or ER charge RN is on the radio with verbel approval/orders. They do often give SL nitro and/or a GI cocktail to r/o heart vs. GI pain quickly. And of course the old failsafe... benzodiazepines for status epilepticus. But I do not recall narcotics given for pain before, so that aspect of it is a new thought for me.

There is my two cents and just think, it was free AND worth every penny:p !!!

Have a Good and Worthy day.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

As a paramedic, I can tell you we do in my area. We have standing orders on morphine. Actually, we have standing orders on all meds: versed & vecuronium for RSI, valium, all cpr meds & drips, etc. And of course, we report everything we've done to the pt. to the ER. I guess it depends upon the medical director of the EMS system working in your area. :)

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

As a paramedic, I can tell you we do in my area. We have standing orders on morphine. Actually, we have standing orders on all meds: versed & vecuronium for RSI, valium, all cpr meds & drips, etc. And of course, we report everything we've done to the pt. to the ER. I guess it depends upon the medical director of the EMS system working in your area. :)