Emergency medical services
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Monitoring respiratory rate, effort and efficacy of ventilation during pain management and sedation can be difficult in the field. Capnography is an ideal monitor for use during the administration of narcotics and benzodiazepines. ⋯ Standard vital signs, oxygen saturation and EtCO2 must also be monitored continuously. End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring, although not required on all patients, provides an earlier indication of respiratory depression than pulse oximetry and respiratory rate alone.
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In most systems, current EMS medication storage practices are not consistent with USP standards. Exposure to excessive heat and excessive cold are both common. ⋯ Most of the strategies for achieving compliance with USP standards are relatively simple and inexpensive. All EMS systems should develop a plan for medication storage that strives to achieve compliance with the USP standards, and reevaluate that plan on a regular basis.
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Emergency responders cannot pick and choose their patients, who come in all shapes and sizes. As lifestyles continue to change, EMS can expect the number of obese and morbidly obese patients to increase. ⋯ Innovate, initiate and implement engineering controls and safe work practices for providers to use when the everyday call is anything but everyday. Until next time...be safe!