CN>What would ya'll think if your company said you cannot clear "no sick
CN>or
CN>injured" on a scene you've been on, even if the patient(s) have NO
CN>complaint and NO damage to vehicle (in MVAs..)? This recently was put
CN>into play where I work, and I can't get over it. I haven't had a
CN>chance
CN>to speak with my clinical supervisor, but my questions about it are:
CN>what am I supposed to write as my assessment on a person without
CN>complaints and without injury? I was told by another employee that "on
CN>any MVA, even without vehicular damage, you can ALWAYS rule out Cspine
CN>injury". I say: BS! If I don't suspect it, why say I do? If I assess
CN>possible Cspine injury, then I have to fully inform pt. of possible
CN>outcomes, risks, etc. of not being transported, then have him sign my
CN>AMA, even if he never wanted an ambulance, just because some guy
CN>driving
CN>down the road called 911 while driving past a minor MVA.
CN>
CN>I'm totally aware of the "CYA" concept...and the other messages
CN>elsewhere on here that is covering CYAing, but what if a company TELLS
CN>you to do as I've stated above. Am I just blowing this out of
CN>proportion? I have been known to argue for the heck of it...
CN>Chris
CN>
CN>--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12
(1:124/3152.0)Hey Chris, you can document what your direct observations 
are of the patient and surroundings, even if no complaint. Better than 
nothing and may save you some headaches later. Lot of those patients 
around who like to say nothing is wrong until later on. Best to have 
something to cover. In this litigious society, we in EMS are very 
vulnerable to those who initially do not need us, but later like to 
complaint. Later
Mike Smith EMT-P, Durham County EMS
--- RBBSMail v18.1
(1:379/308.0)
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