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Mon Jul 7 06:05:46 BST 2003

I would tend to agree with Dr Mattox on this. As an RN, there are many 
things I can safely and legally perform within my state's code of practice 
such as insertion of an IVC (which i suppose is "technically" an invasive 
procedure - but allowed under an RN scope of practice when trained to do 
so), take blood samples, interpret basic ECG readings, defibrillate a 
patient in a shockable rhythm if needed (when trained to do so) and more. I 
can also maintain a patent airway in a patient in respiratory/cardiac arrest 
with basic airways (such as your Guedels), suction (if necessary) and air 
viva until arrival of more qualified staff, I can also assist a physician 
with ET intubation - however, I would not dream of performing anything along 
the lines of a surgical cric, trach or ET intubation until if and when I 
complete my medical degree (or the scope of practice for an RN changes 
dramatically) as I do not wish to start (and most likely end) my career in a 
  court of law. My degree is in nursing NOT medicine and I would hope all 
members of my profession would respect the laws that are in place to 
safeguard our patient's best interests. I aslo hope we as health 
professionals could work together as a team, respecting each others skills, 
abilities, talents and training, whether we be doctors, nurses, paramedics 
or allied health.
Regards,

Wendi Hart RN, BN
Australia

>From: KMATTOX@aol.com
>Reply-To: trauma-list@trauma.org
>To: trauma-list@trauma.org
>Subject: Paramedic assault
>Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2003 15:48:24 EDT
>
>In a message dated 7/3/2003 9:20:41 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
>DocRickFry@aol.com writes:
>
> > that "it appears" the Paramedic Profession is on the forefront of 
>teaching
> > these emergency skills?
>
>In all states, the paramedic profession is under the supervision of the
>medical director, either by on line or off line medical control.   In every 
>state,
>only physicians are given (by the state board of medical examiners) the 
>right
>and the responsibility for the practice of medicine.   The last time I
>checked, every insertion of an airway, cutting of a throat, or opening a 
>chest,
>including pericardiocentesis, was considered a practice of medicine.  I do 
>not
>understand how a paramedic or a nurse can honestly desire to do this 
>without a
>state practice law allowing them to perform surgery without supervision.    
>The
>tenor of the previous postings is begging the legal profession to jump on 
>the
>paramedics, who are doing these things without supervision and the 
>authority of
>their physician director, with an assault and battery charge.
>
>k

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Paramedic assault