kimm1163

I have been reading the responses to ER nurses vs EMT's to gather some data for a paper I am writing. Currently in NH there is a bill in progress to improve NH interfacility transport. The passing of this bill would allow EMTs, RNs, Nurse Practitioners, Physician assistants or physicians to be responsible for patients in a land or water vehicle during transport. There is a big transport issue in the North Country. I believe this is important in transporting ICU patients from acute to acute hospital. I know this isn't quite comparing the two disciplines but it is a way they can and may work together. I also know EMTs work in our ER to supplement our nursing shortage. Does this happen everywhere? The following was a reply from an ER nurse to help me with my paper: "Paramedics work in the ER but their role (and training) is different than an RN's. In their paramedic education they learn to assess and treat by following a proscribed set of rules and protocols. (Is airway clear? No - clear airway by repositioning, remove foreign bodies, place airway adjunct, perform trach. etc. If breathing inadequate...give supplemental O2, support resp with BVM, perform emergency thoracotomy, whatever. They learn only the meds on their state protocol list.) Don't confuse a hospital employeed paramedic with paramedic 'students' who may do other tasks with direct RN or MD supervision - such as intubation. Paramedics DO NOT intubate in the ED as part of their job description as an employee. Paramedics supplement nsg. care by doing tasks such as VS, IV starts, blood draws, assisting in codes (can give those meds because they're the ones on their pre-hosp. protocols), EKGs, physical assessments, responding to hospital codes. Paramedics are not covered under the nurse practice act and are governed by EMS. Our hospital defines the paramedic's role in the job description but it is not specific as to exact duties but simply gives guidelines. So, paramedics help in the ED, do not replace a nurse's functions, do NOT work in the triage role (which is a complex setting that even RNs are not assigned to until working in the ED for 6-12 months and undergoing specialized education and competency evaluation.)"