Comments for Street Watch: Notes of a Paramedic

Comment on Aspirin by medicechic

medicechic — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:03:30 +0000

I’ve read that about broncospasm in asthmatics too, although it didn’t include the nasal polyps.
Protocols and standing orders definitely don’t cover every situation. For example, our protocol states contraindications for ASA as allergy or GI bleed. Personally I can’t take it due to a clotting disorder. I had a chronic renal failure patient a few days ago that I let the doc make the choice. She chose NTG and morphine (reduced dose due to CRF). ASA is excreted through the kidneys. Why would I give a medication to someone that can’t get it out of their system unless it is absolutely necessary? In the past I’ve deferred it to the hospital when the pt had recent surgery, trauma, etc. Just because protocol says A is happening do B doesn’t necessarily mean you need to do it. We’re not puppets, this is why many protocols include the word consider and we are taught to think for ourselves and if in doubt call medical control.

Comment on Aspirin by Ambulance Driver

Ambulance Driver — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:59:26 +0000

Supposedly can precipitate bronchospasm in asthma patients with nasal polyps.

Never seen it, though.

Comment on Atropine by medicscribe

medicscribe — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:58:25 +0000

That’s got to be a typo. I’m going to remove it.

Thanks,

Peter

Comment on Amiodarone by medicscribe

medicscribe — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:55:08 +0000

Thanks for the comments, Kate, that’s a great saying.

Comment on Amiodarone by Kate

Kate — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:39:26 +0000

I’m a new EMT, but on a recent call another seasoned EMT I was working with taught me a great lesson, one that is definitely confirmed after reading this post…”Medicine before Edison.”

Thanks for all the info. Not much I can do with any of what you are posting but it’s great knowledge for me to have swimming around in the back of my head.