Re: Anything Wrong Here?

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In a message dated 12/9/99 2:56:13 AM Central Standard Time,

bbledsoe@... writes:

<<

Am I the only one who feels this way (you know where I stand on

backboards). Be honest. The new paramedics will flame me, the experienced

paramedics will laud me, and the flight crews will pray that I go back to

Australia and mess with them for several years.....maybe I will.

Tirade off.

E. Bledsoe, D.O., Ph.D., EMT-P, FACEP., FAAEM., FAEP, DABFP.

Hog wash.....

>>

Thank you, Dr. Bledsoe! Very well said! You have just exponded on the use of

air medical transport, helicopters, and said exactly what I have been telling

my trainees and co-workers for many years.

I know that in many cases in the rural areas that major hospital facilities,

trumas centers, and such may be a long ways off. I was lucky. All of my EMS

experience was in the DFW metroplex. Hospitals were numerous and usually not

too far away. There were two Level I trauma centers nearby with Parkland

being only 12 miles away. In most cases we were able to get to a trauma

center with little or no difficulty.

Did I ever call for a helicopter? You bet I did, two times and both of them

were on MVC's which ended being fatalities. Both of them were around 5 PM

when traffic on State Hwy. 183 was at a standstill and I felt that the bird

could get to me and to the trauma center much quicker than I could. If you

have never been in the DFW area at 5 PM on a workday you may not know what I

am referring to. I know Dr. Bledsoe knows what I am talking about.

In most cases it was my opinion, and that of my partner, that we could

package our patient, do most of our care enroute to the hospital, and be at

the hospital as quickly, if not quicker, than was possible by calling in a

helicopter. We could be at Parkland rather quickly most of the time.

What Dr. Bledsoe is trying to say, and I agree with him 100%, is that we need

to use our head when we call for helicopter transport. The helicopter is

there. Use it when it is necessary. Don't abuse it. You might consider

putting the bird on standby and disregarding it when you get to the scene and

realize that you don't actually need it. By doing this the helicopter might

be available for someone who really needs it.

I attended a trauma symposium at Hillcrest Hospital this year. It was one of

the best I have attended. I remember the one speaker whom I thought was the

most interesting and who made a lot of sense. He was the medical director

for the helicopter at and White Hospital in Temple. He gave a lot of

information on when to call for a helicopter, its capabilities and the

capability of the crew. He made it perfectly clear that the bird was there

to be used but he also made it perfectly clear that calling for the

helicopter for something such as " several cuts on the face " was unncecssary.

I urge each of you to attend that seminar next year. It is FREE, the

speakers and training received is excellent, and the meal served was great

and it too was FREE!!!!! I know how much medics like to eat.

, BS, LP

Today's thought:

" Never underestimate the power of a kind word or good deed "