Scraping Activated Charcoal

[416417]

As of now, in upsate New York (under REMO), activated charcoal has been taken off the list of protocols. I can understand why if it is given directly to the patient for consumption but why not if its given by AEMT-Ps via an NG tube. I mean if the patient is critical they cant wait for the hospital.

[DrParasite]

I'm sorry, but huh??? :confused:

last I checked, activated charcol was a BLS skill. yes, you want ALS coming, but BLS can give it. I know upstate NY does things differently, but still.

IIRC, the person needed to be concious so they could actually swallow the whole bottle of that stuff, and it tasted horribly.

[parafire81]

Activated Charcoal has been taken out of protocols in a number of systems across the country. As I understand it...the risk versus benefit is not good...i.e. they are more likely to just vomit and possibly aspirate.

It wouldn't be that bad for a paramedic to put an NG tube down and give it that way, but why not just empty the stomach while your at it. Charcoal only works on the stuff that hasn't absorbed into the system yet anyways.

[ALSfirefighter]

Lets keep in mind BLS before ALS. Also if they are that critical, supportive care will take precedence over the insertion of an NG tube and rapid transport is indicated. I'm not one to fight with a person while trying to insert a NG tube. Not to sound harsh but 2 things will happen, supportive care while transporting, or they will go unconscious from the ingestion and they will bite a tube until I can get to the ER for the insertion. We have it in our protocol but many of us don't carry it in our bags for the mess it makes and the nightmare of getting it on-board either way.