This guest post was submitted by paramedic student Steve Hays. He replied to the Everyday EMS Tips weekly enewsletter, “Do you know your stuff?”
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My preceptors have been mixed on me using apps to reference meds. My response when they asked why was simple, “I’m not comfortable taking the risk of a medication error and possibly harming my patient.”
My statement was validated during a recent call. During an RSI procedure I noticed that the dosage amounts for Etomidate on the quick reference chart didn’t seem right to me. I pulled out my phone, opened up the RapiTube app and noticed we were about to give the wrong dose!
I stopped the other team and informed them of what I found and asked for 10 seconds to verify in a second reference. ePocrates validated the correct dose.
I am not comfortable trusting my memory, under fast paced, stressful situations with drug dosages (other than my first-line, common medications). Especially since I very inexperienced. I see no harm in taking 10-15 seconds to verify dosages.
On the flip side, I have seen those who use the references as a justification for not being familiar with the medications because they can just look it up. Again, not acceptable. This, in my opinion, is just as dangerous.
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Thanks Steve and good luck with your exams.