1. Layperson administration of naloxone increasing in New Hampshire In 2017 the volume of naloxone administered by EMS personnel decreased in Manchester, N.H. The amount administered by laypeople increased. “Number of overdose deaths in Manchester decreased by 27 percent in 2016, according to Chris Stawasz, regional director for AMR in Nashua. However, total overdoses, including […]
Tag: Vital Signs
Thready or Bounding … How do You Define?
I was asked, “Would you describe that pulse as thready?” I have never had a good grasp of what is meant by “thready” or “bounding” as those terms seem very subjective. I think most EMS professionals could come to agreement on what fast, slow, regular, or irregular means. But I have yet to come to […]
Top Tips: Skin #VitalSigns
1. Look at the patient’s face, neck, upper chest and hands to see central and peripheral circulation 2. Not sure if the patient’s skin color is off … look at the patient, look at your partner, look at your patient 3. Anticipate skin color, temperature, and moisture based on the patient’s chief complaint What are your […]
Top Tips: Blood Pressure #VitalSigns
1. Bare the patient’s arm, including the upper arm that will be wrapped by the cuff 2. Support the weight of the patient’s arm with your hand underneath their elbow 3. Use the same hand to hold the diaphragm of the stethoscope on the arm 4. Actually hold the stethoscope over the brachial artery rather […]
Top Tips: Pulse Check #VitalSigns
1. Start with gentle palpation 2. Locate the radial pulse by first finding the distal end of the radius 3. Use two or three fingers lightly applied to the patient’s wrist 4. Slightly extend the patient’s wrist to bring the radial artery closer to the skin 5. Count for at least 30 seconds 6. Let […]
1. Don’t tell the patient you are going to count their breathing 2. Look for chest rise and fall through movement in clothing, shoulders, or the chest 3. Listen for the sound of exhalation or inhalation 4. Rest your hand on the patient’s shoulder as you also check their pulse Look, listen, and feel. What […]
Video: 2 Stethoscope Tips
From the outstanding “Remember Two Things” series by Steve Whitehead on EMS1.com ParamedicTV is powered by EMS1.com
Are you ready for 2012? In this month’s edition of posts outside the service area I share some of my favorite posts from the month and resolutions associated with the post. Enjoy and Happy New Year! EMS Blog Resolution: Jim Hoffman, the EMS Professional, loves EMS bloggers. He shares some of his favorite EMS blogs and […]
Three posts together are everything (or almost everything) you wanted to know about blood pressure assessment: 1. Blood Pressure Assessment Tips from Everyday EMS Tips guest blogger Michael Fraley 2. The Blood Pressure from Steve Whitehead’s series on vital signs 3. Blood Pressure – Vital Knowledge for EMS by Chris Kaiser Bonus: 10 blood pressure […]
Paramedic and EMS instructor David Arredondo sent this blood pressure assessment tip: When auscultating a Blood Pressure, use your bulb hand to feel for the radial pulse. You can auscultate and palpate at the same time. If you are not able to hear a BP, you might be able to feel for one. Thanks David […]