(To my UK readers, this was obviously stolen from someone US-based. I haven't corrected fixed changed the spelling.)
So, EMS providers, which would you remove, which would you change, and what would you add? I have also noticed that social media doesn't make any sort of appearance. That should probably change!
And as potential patients (although I wish this on no-one), what would you do with this list. The floor, as they say in the classics, is yours!
1. You are there to solve a problem, not cause one.
2. The ABCs will save you every time.
3. The scene is not the venue for retraining.
4. Interview the patient, not the clipboard.
5. The patient should not be the recipient of your problems.
6. Treat the patient to the best of your ability.
7. We are guests in their domain.
8. Look for reasons to transport, not turf.
8. Look for reasons to transport, not turf.
9. Do not base treatments on lifestyles.
10. Expect no more from others than you can provide.
11. Handle the call you are on, not the one that might happen.
12. The acuity of the situation is due to the patient’s condition, not your anxiety.
13. We do not interrogate over the radio.
14. We do not yell at the family or patient; we explain the problem.
15. Being nice never hurt anyone or cost money.
16. Do not judge lifestyles.
17. A clean ambulance is a happy ambulance.
18. Obey your gut instinct.
19. Being nice does not indicate that you are weak or naïve.
20. Leave tunnel vision for the Amtrak folks.
21. 35 mph is good for patient care.
22. The closest hospital is not always true.
23. Document truthfully; you never know.
24. Know your equipment.
25. Continue to study; dormant minds make Jell-O look smart.
26. Show me what you know, don’t tell me.
27. Level of certification does not guarantee respect.
28. Talk to the patient first, then everyone else—when possible.
29. If nothing else, do the ABCs, treat the problem, use TLC, keep the patient warm, transport.
30. Trouble breathing equals lung sounds.
31. Regardless of whether you are a career or volunteer provider, you are there to do the “JOB.”
32. It takes less energy to be pleasant; anger festers for the whole shift.
33. Each call is a new one.
34. If they can take a tube, they needed one.
35. Be nice to yourself; you have to start somewhere.
36. Scene survey, ABCs, pick a game plan, make a decision.
37. Have people doing things.
38. Ten-minute scene times are a good thing.
39. Certification cards x patches = ????
10 comments:
Instead of getting rid of #38 I might change it from "a good thing" to not neccecarily a bad thing. As for the last one I think it refers to the fact that just because you have 1000 certification you like to tell people about or worse list with your name, doesn't mean you have used them or know how to. The patches goes to the same reasoning. maybe it's not a good reason you've run at many different organizations. If they are patches of the certs, again Jack of all trades master of none?. hence the equals question marks.
I think 3 and 36 should be swapped around. And people should practice number 16 a lot more, a drunk may drink to cope with life not just because he/she wants to get wasted. Otherwise a decent set of rules
Most people who can take a tube need a coffin.
If the patient says they have a rare condition, and you haven't heard of it, say so. It's far easier to explain than be treated by someone who is pretending they know what they're on about...
Assess, treat and re-assess. No one gets it right every time.
Rule 0 - Don't be on fire.
Am I allowed to borrow this and alter it for work?
I'm in the military as a medic, but my First Aid teams are only locally trained and some of it will be very useful to them all. Although I may have to change ambulance to ship!!
All valid points, and thanks for making me laugh with Rule 0... :)
Ben, steal away!
As a student, I'd add something about being nice and good mentors for students - after all, we'll be working with you in the future and won't forget a bad mentor.
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