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Hey AD.. I thought you might enjoy this. It's a 5-year-old girl who speaks to the 911 dispatcher after her father is stricken with chest pain and difficulty breathing. She was so calm and composed. Almost brought a tear to my eye when she was comforting her dad.

http://www.youtube.com/v/eDARfDJw80s

(I'm sure KatyBeth would do the same in that situation)

Hi;

I just read your "50 Secrets...” after my wife, an RN and CRNA, asked me what I think about it. I was shocked. Either you selected the most patient-hostile comments or paraphrased them into such or we really have such cold uncaring medical personnel in our ERs. If so, the hospital she works at, is an exception, as are other ERs I have had need to utilize. - Instead of telling some "secrets" that are worthwhile to know you presented a bitch column. You have depicted Emergency Medical personnel as cold-hearted and mean. Most patients coming to an ER are hurt and confused; they need care not just attention, and understanding that in their state they may not be their most reasonable. It is good to know that the ER world is not as bad as you portray its personnel. They deserve a better image. - However we hope we never fall into the (non-)care of most of the contributors to your article, especially not into the hands of Dr. Allen Roberts of Ft Worth.

GM

Um, I think you have the wrong blog. I never wrote any such article.

And for what it's worth, Allen Roberts is one of the most respected physician bloggers on the web.

ghm seems to be commenting on the article by Ginny Graves in Reader's Digest. It is a list of one line comments that people in emergency medicine and EMS wish patients knew.

http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people...

To summarize, you should not use EMS/ED for non-emergencies; you should answer questions honestly and completely; you should not expect concierge level care.

If you read the comments looking for something to complain about, you can find something to complain about. It boils down to the golden rule. Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself.

Here is one example - 24. “Get rid of your entitlement mentality. It’s bad in your general life but really bad in the ER. We’ll treat you, but we might not be nice.” —Allen Roberts, MD

How can you argue with that. If you are going to the ED to be drowned with sweetness, you should consider going someplace else.

Drug seekers (junkies) are also criticized, as they should be. Drug seekers cause patients with legitimate pain to be denied appropriate treatment. There is nothing nice about that.

Ahhh. Now that I've read the column, I know what she's talking about. Ginny Graves asked me for a quote, but I never got back to her.

Still, pretty mild stuff. I've certainly posted harsher stuff than that right here on the blog. Seems like GHM is one of those people looking for a reason to be offended.

AD,
My name is Mark Kendall, I am a first semester paramedic student in the St. Louis area. I've been assigned a research paper on "the future of EMS," we have to choose something in EMS that we feel will be introduced or will change in the future. After reading some of your ongoing discussions on airway management with rogue medic i've decided to choose that for my topic. I'm looking for some good research regarding intubation success in the field, the effectiveness of rescue airways such as king tubes and combi's. If you could help me out I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Mark Kendall
makendall89@yahoo.com

Hey.....any one have any idea where Crystal "MCknob" has gone? Her blog and twitter account are gone..totally worried about her..I adored readng her! Please email me...thanks...
Kellie
kjr1117@aol.com

Hi -

My name is Ginny Graves, and I'm writing an article for READERS' DIGEST on things emergency medical professionals know but typically don't tell patients. The story is going to cover everything from who gets bumped to the top of the E.R.'s waiting list and why to things that really annoy E.R. docs and nurses and inside info that ambulance drivers and EMTs know. Would you have 10 to 15 minutes to chat on the phone about it one day this week? I'm outside San Francisco and am typically at my desk from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. But I'd be happy to work around your schedule. Let me know a time that would be convenient for you. I'd be grateful for your input.

Many thanks,
Ginny Graves
415-454-1807

Your project is likely well intended Ginny. But...you have offended about 90% of EMS providers already in your request for "inside" info. Normally it would roll off my back because people are just stupid. In your case however, it would seem since you are trying to present yourself as a professional writer, that you would have done a bit more research in reference to our proper titles, prior to your request. We are professionals as well. We are not "ambulance drivers". That and the old "strong back, lead foot" mentality went out the window long ago. We are Paramedics and EMT's. We are an educated bunch. I went to school 2 years to be a Paramedic. I do happen to drive an ambulance occasionally in the performance of my job, but it is much more involved than that. We are the front lines and the extended hand of the physician in dealing with an acutely ill or injured patient. And based on our in depth knowledge of pre-hospital emergency medicine in the performance of our job, we are looked to and held to a standard of expectation in the performance of that job by the patients we care for and the physicians we work under. The white smock wearing, door slapping days of both "drivers" running to the front of the truck of the 1940's - 1960's and hauling ass to the hospital with the patient in back alone are long gone. Do an article or at least research EMS first so you are familiar with us. Then you can cautiously ask us for "inside info" once you know who your asking. I personally wouldn't tell you anything.

you seem mean

So sorry to offend you! I hope you enjoy the article more than my e-mail. I
was delighted to be able to chat with many kind, thoughtful EMTs and
paramedics for the piece. Look for it in an upcoming issue of Reader's
Digest. Should be in the March or April issue.
All best,
GG