Thursday, September 22, 2016

Teleseryes are making a mockery of the medical procedure....

This teleserye's are making a mockery of the medical procedure. Long before I have seen some cases of asystole where the patient is being defibrillated and people with ET Tube talking.

I cannot understand as to why these television companies cannot afford to hire a consultant to at least present the medical aspect in the right manner.

It may come out funny to those who know, but it is also a slap on our medical personnel since this can be seen by the world.

I am appealing to the director, producer of these teleserye's, please hire a consultant and correct these errors...


What is the purpose of the Nasal Cannula?

Photo from chroniclesofMD



Is this a new model of an ET Tube? 

Photo from chroniclesMD

Sunday, September 18, 2016

PPE for Hazardous Materials


Level A - the most hazardous, requires fully incapsulated chemical resistant protective clothing that provides full body protection as well as SCBA and special sealed equipment

Level B requires non encapsulated protective clothing, or clothing that is designed to protect a particular hazard.  (usually this clothing is made of material that will let only limited amounts of moisture and vapor.

Level C - like level B, requires the use of nonpermeable clothing and eye protection. In addition, face mask that filter all inhaled outside air must be used.

Level D - requires a work uniform, such as coveralls, that affords minimal protection

This protection levels are utilized depending on the classification of Hazardous Materials according to health hazard or toxicity levels, fire hazard and reactive hazard.


Toxicity Levels of Hazardous Materials


Level             Health Hazard                      Protection Needed
 
   0                 Little or no Hazard -             None

   1                 Slightly Hazardous               Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (level C suit)

   2                 Slightly Hazardous               Self Contained Breathing Apparatus ( level C suit)

   3                 Extremely Hazardous           Full protection, with no exposed skin (level A or B)

   4                 Minimal Exposure causes     Special Hazmat gear (level A suit)
                      death  

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

How To Achieve Higher Cardiac Arrest Survival

The Key To Cardiac Arrest Survival According To the Journal of Emergency Medical Services


Despite the many changes and improvement in the medical field, Cardiac Arrest Survival is still very low.  Most especially in countries where the Emergency Medical Services are still developing, cardiac arrest victims brought to the hospital are pronounce dead on arrival just shortly after a few minutes of resuscitation.

The Journal of Emergency Medical Services, have listed at least four ways to achieve higher cardiac arrest survival.

1. HIGH PERFORMANCE CPR
2. TELECOMMUNICATOR CPR
3. SYSTEM MEASUREMENT AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
4. MEDICAL DIRECTOR LEADERSHIP

for more information visit the Journal of Emergency Medical Services website.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Airline Companies Prohibits the use Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on board the plane



Just a few weeks after Samsung launched its new  Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, the company issued a major recall due to complaints that the device caught on fire while charging. The problem was traced to its battery.

In line with these developments  Federal Aviation Administration is warning travelers to avoid turning on or charging Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones while flying because of concerns about the devices catching fire.

Considering this, major airline companies in the Philippines, Philippine airlines, Cebu Pacific including Air Asia now prohibits the use of of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on their flights for safety reasons until further advice.

This does not mean however that you cannot bring your Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on the plane. It can be hand-carried but should not be turned on for the whole flight duration. It also does not allow the item to be placed in checked in baggage, more info on these through CNN Philippines

Friday, September 9, 2016

Glove Removal Technique

Gloves are the minimum standard for patient care considering that there is always the possibility for exposure to blood and body substances.

However, proper glove removal is quite important considering that improper removal may still result to exposure.


  • Begin by partially removing one glove. Be careful to touch only the outside of the glove. You can do this by pinching the glove at the wrist and start to roll it back of the hand, inside out. Leave the exterior of the fingers on that first glove exposed.
  • Remove the second glove by pinching the exterior with the partially gloved hand.
  • Pull the second glove inside out toward the fingertips.
  • Grasp both gloves with your free hand touching only the clean, interior surface.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Basic ECG Interpretation

How good is your ecg interpretation skills? I think most of us in the medical field find ecg interpretation quite confusing. True indeed, it requires practice, practice and practice.

If you already have a basic idea on interpretation, then one way to enhance your skills is to visit this site: www.skillstat.com

Once on the site, you will see a link for ECG Simulator. Simply click the link and it will direct you to this:

Simply click OK and this will direct you to either PREP or PLAY


You can then select from any of the choices to understand and learn different ECG rhythms. From there, you can then test your skills by clicking the PLAY button and it will direct you to this:


You will be given a time of one minute to interpret different ECG rhythms and at the end of the one minute time, you will find out how good or how much practice you still need to do.


You may join our Advance Cardiac Life Support Training (ACLS) to learn more about ECG Interpretation. CONTACT US.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Automatic Chest Compression

 Automatic Chest Compression Device.... making CPR easy....

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation is the key to survival. However, such procedure is tiring most especially now that the rate of compression has been increased from 100 per minute to 100-120 per minute.

Just imagine yourself compressing and you are in the ambulance running in high speed..... Well, due to the advent of technology, performing chest compression while on the run may not be that tiring anymore....


However please bear in mind that this equipment can only be utilized by trained responders. But it surely is a welcome development in the field of emergency medical services.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Levels of Emergency Medical Responders

emt levels

The licensing of prehospital emergency medical providers and oversight of emergency medical services in the United States are governed at the state level.

Even though primary management and regulation of prehospital providers is at the state level, the federal government does have a model scope of practice including minimum skills for EMRs, EMTs, Advanced EMTs and Paramedics set through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While states are able to set their own additional requirements for state certification, a quasi-national certification body exists in the form of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

Though levels and state requirement vary, herewith are the different levels for emergency responders:


First Responder





The certified First Responder has successfully completed an approved First Responder Course which is typically 40-60 hours in length. First Responders are trained in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), CPR, oxygen administration, bandaging, splinting, and emergency childbirth.


 

 

 

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic

 

The EMT-Basic has successfully completed an approved EMT Course which is typically about 150 hours in length. EMTs are trained in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), CPR, oxygen administration, bandaging, splinting, emergency childbirth, nonvisualized airways, blood glucose level testing and the administration of nitroglycerin, epinephrine with an Epi-Pen, aspirin and activated charcoal, although activated charcoal is not used in this 
system.

 

 

 

 

Emergency Medical Technician - Advanced 



The Advanced EMT has successfully completed an approved EMT Course plus an Advanced EMT Course which is typically a total of about 250 hours in length. Advanced EMTs are trained in the use of automatic and manual defibrillators, CPR, oxygen administration, bandaging, splinting, emergency childbirth, nonvisualized airways, the administration of several medications, intravenous access (IV), and cardiac monitoring.

 

 

 

Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic


The Paramedic has successfully completed an approved EMT Course plus a Paramedic Course which is typically a total of about 1,500 hours. Most paramedic courses now take between 18-24 months to complete. Paramedics are trained in all of the BLS skills and in the use of manual defibrillation, transcutaneous cardiac pacing, 12 lead ECGs, advanced airway management, including surgical airways, intravenous access, intraosseous access, which involves placing a needle in a bone and using the bone marrow as a fluid and medication route and pharmacology (LifeMed's paramedics have access to nearly 40 medications). Additionally, paramedics can perform pleural decompression which is a treatment to reinflate collapsed lungs, CPAP and Rapid Sequence Induction.

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Sunday, July 24, 2016

Star Of Life

star of life
It's time to understand the symbol we call the 
"Star of Life"


The Star of Life is a blue, six-pointed star, outlined with a white border which features the rod of Asclepius in the center. The origin and design is governed by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which is under the United States Department of Transportation, DOT). Internationally, it represents emergency medical services units and personnel. The logo was used as a stamp of authentication or certification for ambulances, emergency medical technicians, advance emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other emergency medical responders. However, it is now use Internationally to represent emergency medical services units and personnel.

The symbol's history


The Star of Life was created after the American Red Cross complained in 1973 since most ambulances used a safety orange cross on a square background of reflectorized white to designate them as emergency units. The orange cross too closely resembled their logo, the red cross on a white background, its use restricted by the Geneva Conventions.
The newly designed Star of Life was adapted from the Medical Identification Symbol of the American Medical Association, which was trademarked by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1967. The newly designed logo was trademarked on February 1, 1977 with the Commissioner of Patents and Trade-marks in the name of the National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration. The logo was "given" to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for use as the emergency medical technicians (EMT) logo after the trademark expired in 1997.
From there, the logo was carried on and now are being utilized worldwide by emergency medical services and personnel. It has become an identifiable mark for rescuers and emergency providers even the form of a badge or a patch.


Understanding the symbol - The snake emblem

The Rod of Asclepius also known as the Staff of Asclepius is a serpent-entwined rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius, a deity associated with healing and medicine. There were several theories with respect to the symbol but most of these can be traced to Greek mythology.
The symbol has continued to be used in modern times, where it is associated with medicine and health care. Medical doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and even first aid providers proudly wear the symbol as an identification of their work or profession.



Understanding the Star - six points

 



There are six points or shall we say six branches in the star of life. Each point represent the task that a provider execute during the whole response.
  • Detection: The first rescuers on the scene, usually untrained civilians or those involved in the incident, observe the scene, understand the problem, identify the dangers to themselves and the others, and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety on the scene (environmental, electricity, chemicals, radiation, etc.).
  • Reporting: The call for professional help is made and dispatch is connected with the victims, providing emergency medical dispatch. Most countries have a 3 digit number for their emergency medical services. The dispatcher usually decides and dispatch the necessary vehicles and personnel toward the scene basing on the report.
  • Response: The first rescuers provide first aid and immediate care to the extent of their capabilities. They also decide if additional resources are needed at the scene and may call for them.
  • On scene care: The EMS personnel arrive and provide immediate care to the extent of their capabilities on-scene. This includes assessment and prioritizing care such as airway management and controlling bleeding. Vitals signs will also be taken to have a baseline data of the victim or victims condition and also provides the necessary intervention for the patient to survive.
  • Care in transit: The EMS personnel proceed to transfer the patient to a hospital via an ambulance or helicopter for specialized care. They provide medical care during the transportation.
  • Transfer to definitive care: Appropriate specialized care is provided at the hospital depending on the nature of injury or illness.

Don't wear it unless you understand.....

There is no agency tasked with enforcing its use as a mark of certification, the Star of Life has traditionally been used as a means of identification for medical personnel, equipment, and vehicles. Many ambulance services mark the symbol on their vehicles, and ambulance crews often wear the design as part of their uniform.
It is quite interesting to know the meaning of what your wearing. So before you wear the patch or your pin, you should be able to know the meaning of the symbol. By knowing the meaning, we can be assured that you you also know your job. Then and then only you will be worthy of wearing the symbol we call the Star of Life.....

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