Field Microscopy - 50 cents each

This is a very cool item, probably one of the neatest inventions I've seen in a long time.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/super-cheap-paper-microscope-could-save-millions-lives-133616732.html?vp=1

Paramedic Clinicals, Part 1 -- Getting There

I got lucky.

See, when I started this Paramedic adventure a few years ago I knew it was going to be a struggle to get it all done.  Back in 2006 when I was diagnosed with cancer, I used up all my sick and vacation time (as well as a few people who donated their time to me).  Truth is, in the 7 years since, I did not build up much of a "bank" of time.  Vacation days became more precious than work to me and I spent them with my family and friends.

Once I started this Paramedic education, however, I knew that I would be taking a ton of "vacation" days from my normal job in order to do my EMS education on the side.  So I saved up time and money.

Optimistically, I saved enough for Base Camp and EMSWorld Expo, with a few days left over for the slop, figuring I could do my clinicals every other weekend.  You see, I work 5 days then 4 days, then get a 3-day weekend.  I figured I could leave after work on a Thursday, drive 3+ hours to the hospital, work part of a night shift, sack out in the car/shower at a truck stop, work Friday night, sack out in car/shower at truck stop, work Saturday night, sack out in car/shower at truck stop, work Sunday night, drive home (nap in car along way somewhere), shower at home and work 8 hour shift at regular job Monday.  I would get every other weekend at home to recoup, and I could be finished in 14 weeks.

That may have worked...when I was 22, but at nearly double that age I'm just not able to swing it. 
It took 2 nights sleeping in my car to realize I needed:
1.  a bathroom. 
2.  to stand up, stretch, and do yoga
3.  a coffee pot
4.  a fridge with some real food
5.  sometimes a shower AND a bath to soak away 12 hours in the ED
6.  a decent internet connection
7.  someplace I could call "home" away from the hospital

There was no way my original plan would work.

Lo and behold, the idiocy of the Federal Government saved me.  They shut down the government for a few weeks.  I managed to score a fabulous serviceable room at the local Motel 6 for the duration, and managed to knock out 14 shifts of at least 12 hours each.  Although I hated the whole mess, the shutdown really worked in my favor.

Next time:  Paramedic Clinicals -- Day 1

NeuroEMS -- new page to me

And raises some interesting questions (along with good literature review):
http://neuroems.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/12-lead-ecg-and-stroke-pt-1-overview-lit-review/

Color me intrigued

Weekly Round-up 3/21/2014

OK, so I've decided to add a new section, for all the articles and web pages I've read this week, that might interest you, gentle reader.
So here we go:

Provider Suicide.  I've written about it a few times.  A good editorial.
http://www.lifeunderthelights.com/2014/03/14/provider-suicide-a-letter-from-someones-coworker/

Teamwork...a laudable goal:
http://www.jems.com/article/major-incidents/how-foster-teamwork-shooting-incidents

Upstroke ventilation in CPR (and ventilation in general)
http://www.jems.com/article/patient-care/using-upstroke-ventilation-optimize-coro-0

Lone Star tick bite causes some to become allergic to sugar in red meat.
http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/bodywork/the-fit-list/Tick-Bites-Blamed-for-Red-meat-Allergies.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=facebookpost

Firsthand account of caring for your colleagues:
http://www.jems.com/article/health-and-safety/firsthand-account-stresses-caring-your-c

A good reminder on equipment checks:
http://www.emsworld.com/article/10319289/ambulance-equipment-checks

EMS Movies
http://www.emsworld.com/article/10319212/ems-movies

Mercedes/Freightliner 4x4 model to USA!!! (Ambulance Ranger REALLY wants one...)
http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-sprinter-4x4-likely-headed-stateside.html#xP2f7J348WYh6wR8.01

Emergency Vehicle Safety - report shows...
http://www.emsworld.com/news/11351664/usfa-releases-updated-emergency-vehicle-safety-initiative

Vegas - "War over emergency response" in Las Vegas - Vegas fire wants to take 75% share...
http://www.jems.com/video/news/concern-grows-over-private-ambulances-ve

Distance learning...frustrated with the process

The learning part (didactic) was great.  Going to Paramedic Base Camp was great.
Trying to get someone in rural America (within driving distance) to sign on for my clinical internship took months.  Even after almost a year of pre-planning and discussion.  First choice backed out at the 11th hour, second choice did not communicate well.

Getting intubations was nearly impossible.  I'll save the gory details for later, but approximately 3 months elapsed from my last clinical shift to the week at the Big Eastern hospital OR I had to travel to in order to get my 10 tubes.

Field internship is not proving easy to navigate, either.  Had the site set up over a year ago, and just now am finding out that my school needs to be licensed in the State for me to do my field time (which they are not).

I haven't had the heart to tally my expenses so far, but for you, gentle reader, I will do it and get you an update.  Let's just say that Big Credit Card Companies are in love with me right now, and my diet is far less varied than it used to be.

I'll try to be upbeat in my next posts, but for now I'm just bummed.

Thank you for your service, officers

K9 Maros United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, U.S. Government End of Watch: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 Cause: Gunfire

Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/22038-officer-jason-crisp#ixzz2vtDob7gl

Officer Jason Crisp United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, U.S. Government End of Watch: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 Cause: Gunfire

Read more: http://www.odmp.org/k9/1527-k9-maros#ixzz2vtE5uh4d