What are medics doing in your ED?

We have paramedic/emt  STUDENTS that shadow for a shift every now and then. The medic students are generally a huge help, the can do IVs, blood draws , EKGs, vital

signs, stuff like that.  The emt students are way more limited in what they can do ( really vitals and that’s it) but a extra set of hands is always helpful.   I feel like there’s sometimes this weird rivalry/tension between medics and nurses.  There is a lot of overlap but also a really big difference between the two roles.  Got a bit off topic there,  the ED I work I doesn’t have any paramedics or emts that are actually employed there.  I could see a EMT  fulfilling a tech role (but we already have techs).  It would seem to me that a paramedic would be underutilized working in a emergency Department? The reason I say that is because a paramedic has some really advanced skills that I don’t think they would be able to utilize fully working in the hospital. Having said that, I’d love to have a medic working in the department who could start ivs (as much as I like doing it) and maybe give some meds? The more I think/write about it the less sense it’s making to me.  Love to hear from people who have experience with this.  

EMTs are tech 1s, medics are tech 2s…. Tech 2s can start IVs and draw blood 

they both do wound care and apply splints and help move pts and objects around the unit. 

On 8/5/2022 at 10:27 AM, FiremedicMike said:

I'm talking about paramedics employed by the hospital.. 

At our facility, they are essentially techs who can start IV's (probably underutilized).  At another hospital in our system, they are doing nearly everything including IV push meds and titrating drips.  I have heard from RN's who have rotated at that site that the medics are doing these things independently, without RN assessment/input (can't confirm, don't have first hand knowledge).

Just curious how they are utilized around the country.. 

 

 

I am sure that it is different depending on the hospital system.  In the field, medics can give almost 125 medications independently and do a few interventions that even us RN's can't do such as intubation, king tubes, cardiovert, pace. Medics do those interventions given their own assessments so I'm not sure the big deal of not having an RN assessment/input.  Medics have specific criteria regarding administering meds just as we do, ie: not giving a med under a certain pressure, etc..... BUT... there are certain meds that are not within a medics guidelines so that could be an issue if it's being done...

On 8/5/2022 at 7:27 AM, FiremedicMike said:

I'm talking about paramedics employed by the hospital.. 

At our facility, they are essentially techs who can start IV's (probably underutilized).  At another hospital in our system, they are doing nearly everything including IV push meds and titrating drips.  I have heard from RN's who have rotated at that site that the medics are doing these things independently, without RN assessment/input (can't confirm, don't have first hand knowledge).

Just curious how they are utilized around the country.. 

 

 

Where I work, we don't have medics in the ER. Although, I wish we did have medics! IMO medics would be perfect for triage. Also, their scope of practice is pretty big, they would be able to do a lot in our ER. The reason I think they don't utilize them depending on the ER is insurance coverage. From what I hear, the hospital has to list all job descriptions, submit to insurance, and obtain specific permits/licensing for all roles. So, maybe it's a hassle? 

We have medics in our ER in northern Indiana. They can do almost anything and RN can do except some meds. They can:

Start IVs including EJs (nurses can’t) 

Draw labs.

Run EKGs

Hang fluids and give almost all meds. 

Intubate if the physician needs assistance (or just wants them to do it.) 

They are highly utilized in our dept and we love our medics! They function almost as a nurse but without all the documentation of assessments and communication with patients and providers.