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EMS Commandments

A quick glance at a search engine of your choice will net you a lot of results when you type in the statement EMS Commandments.  Over the years, our agencies have designed the rules of the trade when it comes to how a unit operates on a daily basis.  There are some of the commandments that are well known from agency to agency while others are a more local flavor. 

As some of you that know me personnally know that I am a watcher of people.  I like to learn about the body mechanics of individuals and what each movement means, and it is always intersting to see what people are really saying.  In addition to that, it is really interesting in learning about how people think and operate. 

Have you ever looked at how people act around other people.  When people look old and grungy they are less likely to speak to them, let alone give them something.  If they look clean and young they are willing to provide more of a hand-out and even more conversation.  I have witnessed several events over the past week to prove that very statement.  Now, I am not writing a truly statistical research paper on this revolution, but it is again interesting to watch people.  However, it did get me thinking.  Thinking about the way that I treated people when I was on the fire engine and on the ambulance.  Additionally, it got me thinking about the way that I generally operate around people. 

There is a tremendous discussion about how EMS is utilized.  There are those individuals who truly need the services offered by our fellow pre-hospital bretheren, while some utilize the services of our EMS agencies for other reasons.  As our services are continually worked hard on a daily basis, how do we treat those that need our services.  I know my next comment is going to get me in trouble in the EMS/Fire circle, and to my defense I wasn't perfect at this either (but I am continually trying to get better).  I tryly believe that we should be treating each patient with the utmost respect available.  I know that with certain circumstances we must be slightly more aggressive with the patients (i.e. combative) but we should be treating patients with respect. 

With many services looking at implementing the community paramedine model, will that change the negative attitude associated with overuse of the system?  If so why aren't we all implementing the new ideas?  There are several questions that I could ask here to peak interest in changing the system, but ultimately it is going to take a community of practice buy-in to make changes.  Knowing that, remember what if the tides changed and your patient was the provider treating your injury or illness...would you be happy with the way you are treating you?

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