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keahi520
02-14-2001, 01:13 AM
Recently the State of Maryland has adopted the new 2001 NREMT-I certification, however we are not recongnized by the state as ALS providers yet. We can intubate, give drugs, do IO's, EJ's, chest decompressions - but yet we can't because in the state we are still BLS only.

So, my question is what would you do in the situation that a persons life depends on whether you act as ALS or BLS? I asked myself this question last night on a cardiac arrest. While I was only "BLS", I still had the training AND equipment to do a full code work up on my patient. I opted to only act as BLS, in fear that I would lose my newly-earned certification.

What would you have done?

RJE
02-14-2001, 08:53 PM
I don't know - just a lowly FR here. But we had a doc on our dept years back. I know on one code we had a med kit but the law said "paramedic can administer on Dr.'s order only". Hospital's radio was down, so she told the IC, "I'm Dr. ___, and I'm ordering _____", then did it. According to the state EMS, she's only an EMT-B and can't push meds. But they didn't squawk, since in her "other life" she's qualled.

DCFyrMdc
02-21-2001, 04:05 PM
WAIT for protocols. If I remember correctly, MD uses a single medical director for the entire state and a single drug box. Because of this wait, until you get protocols on how they want you to provide care. There is nothing so bad as straying from those happy ground rules which keep you in the nice, safe, happy zone!

Besides, I've been on a bunch of codes. The ones who were "saves" all had two things in common. One, good early CPR (BLS) by citizens or first responders. Two, they all had an AED (basically BLS) hooked up pretty quick and got early defibrillation.

Since you're a new medic, congratulations on your new cert!

Now, even with all your new tricks in your bag, remember your BLS skills. They really are your lifesavers.

For other non medics out there....remember your ABCs...
airway, breathing, cancel the medic!


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Christopher Suprun, FF/NREMT-P
Dale City VFD/Batt 4-13