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Thu Oct 12 17:11:05 BST 2006

In a message dated 10/12/2006 10:59:15 AM Central Standard Time,  
Rgross at harthosp.org writes:

Rick,
I will tell you how I do things in the field.  I will do  whatever it is
I can to care for the patient till the calvary  arrives.  And when the
EMS personnel do arrive, I give them my report,  step aside and hand over
the care to them with the statement, "How can I  best help other than
staying out of your way?"  If they need - and ask  for - my help or my
clinical expertise, I will give it.  If I need to  go with them to the
receiving facility, I will do so - although that   has been necessary
only a couple of times in my 30 years since graduating  from med school
(and as my wife will tell you, I always stop, if just to  ask if I can
help).  

In short, I think it was Bill who said it  best;, we, as surgeons, can
be of best use in the ED, and that is the best  place for the patient, as
opposed to the field, where time is of the  essence, and transport should
never be delayed by a good samaritan who  wants to do more than is
necessary in the pre-hospital  setting.

As my other post shows, I heartily agree with you on this, Ron...and in my  
19 years since graduation, I've helped out on more than a few scenes, usually  
with medics whom I have helped train and knew their protocols, and haven't yet 
 had to ride in on any of them. 

About the only time that I can think that I provided truly 'advanced care'  
on the scene was one where I was 'First In' and helped with a messy 
extrication.  The patient had an open dislocation of his ankle, and, after the 
extrication, I  was able to reduce the dislocation and restore the blood flow to his 
foot.

Outside of that, it's been ABCD and help with the lifting...

ck
Charles S. Krin, DO FAAFP

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