Comments on: An EMD’s Dilemma

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:44:29 +0000

AMPDS has already addressed this issue. You will find that Pre Arrival Instructions will be for “compression only” CPR.
Current research suggests that the artificial respirations are not necessary as the blood is already oxygenated. It is rather unfair to blame AMPDS for this; you would find dispatchers using other triaging systems (like CBD) instructing a caller to perform CPR!

By: ben

ben — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:29:59 +0000

I have worked for the service now for over 15yrs and I have to say the emds are now put in an unpresendented situation where calls are concerned, not only do they have to get the call through to the dispatch within 30 seconds but they have to ask questions that sometimes feel inappriopriate or face disaplinary action.

I have myself been in a similar situation and have gone against the training and the protocols and have kept the young caller on the line until the crew arrive but have not asked them to do cpr as the protocol states for the very reason above, as well as the fact it would be very traumatic for them to do so.

I feel that although in most respects ampds is a good thing they have taken away the basic instincts and common sense from the emd and unfortunately if you do use your common sense you can now be disaplined for not following the protocol to the letter. I find this a very sorry state to be in as obviously not all situations can possibly be covered.

I would also like to add that from both a control and crew point of view often ampds generates a hot response when a cold response is more appropriate and most times that is down to how the emd interperates the answer, at lot of the time the caller will just say yes to questions to get the ambulance at scene but an experienced emd will delve slightly deeper but this skill is quickly being lost due to current training, fear of litigation and even more so from the threat of disaplinary action by the service.

By: bekah

bekah — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:08:46 +0000

being a medical professional and a mother. it should not be legal to expect a child who is not aware of the dangers of blood born pathogens to put themselves at risk.I have told all of my kids to refuse to physically touch anybody.

By: Becky

Becky — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:04:22 +0000

As an EMD for 2 years now I have to say I feel heartened by some recognition of the difficult position the EMD often finds themself in. Thank you.

A comment I would like to add is that we are trained never ask anyone if they are willing to help someone. The fact that they have made the call is the assumption that they are willing to help, and that they would say if they don’t want to. We don’t ask them, we tell them what they are going to do next.

Although it is my job to take control of a call and to ensure life saving instructions are being carried out by the person on the other end of the phone, I have to say, at home, I would be encouraging my children that it’s great to help people but NOT to be bullied into doing anything that may be dangerous. They may not be aware of the danger in a situation like this so I would explain and make sure they understood they were allowed to stand their ground and say no to an adult - even an EMD!

We seem to be under the impression in this day and age that the ‘youth of today’ are all rebellious and rude and don’t listen to adults or do as they are told anyway. This is a serious misjudgement.