Now as we move up the list toward what I call The Essential Eight, the choices are going to become harder.
Month: February 2010
Metoprolol
“So, the Metoprolol finally worked,” I said to the nurse.
“No,” she said, “We gave him Cardizem.”
Toradol
When Fentanyl arrives in my kit, it will likely be ranked quite high on my list and push Toradol down even further, possibly to the point where we will have no need to carry it.
Activated Charcoal
I must confess that in my 21 years riding ambulances, 18 as a paramedic, I have never given Activated Charcoal to a patient.
Vasopressin
“In summary, the use of vasopressin alone or in combination with epinephrine as the first line vasopressors during resuscitation from cardiac arrest offers no benefit related to short- and long-term survival compared to the use of epinephrine alone.”
Upstairs
The asphalt is white with salt. What grass pokes out from the crusted snow is a dull yellow. The houses in this lower middle class neighborhood are all grey. Walking up to house, I am struck by the only color I have seen for days. On a concrete slab of a driveway there is a…